I found a letter that was posted on several different web sites recently, which is as appropriate today as the day it was written. It is from a long time veteran Border Patrol Officer, David J. Stoddard of Hereford, Arizona (Cochise County) with twenty-seven years of experience keeping our border safe at various different points.
The letter was written in 2006 and addressed to Senator Bill Frist to bring the attention of the senate to long-standing problems on the border. As you read the letter, be aware that the problems have not improved and in fact has gotten worse, and in some cases, exponentially more severe. Keep in mind that the author of this letter has devoted his adult life to keeping that border safe in some very dangerous places. He knows the territory and whereof he speaks.
“Dear Senator Frist:
There is a huge amount of propaganda and myths circulating about illegal aliens, particularly illegal Mexican, Salvadorian, Guatemalan and Honduran aliens.
Illegal aliens generally do NOT want US citizenship. Americans are very vain thinking that everybody in the world wants to be a US citizen. Mexicans, and other nationalities want to remain citizens of their home countries while obtaining the benefits offered by the United States such as employment, medical care, instate tuition, government subsidized housing and free education for their offspring. Their main attraction is employment and their loyalty usually remains at home. They want benefits earned and subsidized by middle class Americans. What illegal aliens want are benefits of American residence without paying the price.
There are no jobs that Americans won't do. Illegal aliens are doing jobs that Americans can't take and still support their families. Illegal aliens take low wage jobs, live dozens in a single residence home, share expenses and send money to their home country. There are no jobs that Americans won't do for a decent wage.
Every person who illegally entered this nation left a home. They are NOT homeless and they are NOT Americans. Some left jobs in their home countries. They come to send money to their real home as evidenced by the more than 20 billion dollars sent out of the country each year by illegal aliens. These illegal aliens knowingly and willfully entered this nation in violation of the law and therefore assumed the risk of detection and deportation. Those who brought their alien children assumed the responsibility and risk on behalf of their children.
Illegal aliens are NOT critical to the economy. Illegal aliens constitute less than 5% of the workforce. However, they reduce wages and benefits for lawful US residents.
This is NOT an immigrant nation. There are 280 million native born Americans. While it is true that this nation was settled and founded by immigrants (legal immigrants), it is also true that there is not a nation on this planet that was not settled by immigrants at one time or another.
The United States is welcoming to legal immigrants. Illegal aliens are not immigrants by definition. The US accepts more lawful immigrants every year than the rest of the world combined.
There is no such thing as the "Hispanic vote." Hispanics are white, brown, black and every shade in between. Hispanics are Republicans, Democrats, Anarchists, Communists, Marxists and Independents. The so-called "Hispanic vote" is a myth. Pandering to illegal aliens to get the Hispanic vote is a dead end.
Mexico is NOT a friend of the United States. Since 1848 Mexicans have resented the United States. During World War I Mexico allowed German Spies to operate freely in Mexico to spy on the US. During World War II Mexico allowed the Axis powers to spy on the US from Mexico. During the Cold War Mexico allowed spies hostile to the US to operate freely. The attack on the Twin Towers in 2001 was cheered and applauded all across Mexico. Today Mexican school children are taught that the US stole California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. If you don't believe it, check out some Mexican textbooks written for their school children.
Although some illegal aliens enter this country for a better life, there are 6 billion people on this planet. At least 1 billion of those live on less than one dollar a day. If wanting a better life is a valid excuse to break the law and sneak into America, then let's allow those one billion to come to America and we'll turn the USA into a Third World nation overnight. Besides, there are 280 million native born Americans who want a better life. I'll bet Bill Gates and Donald Trump want a better life. When will the USA lifeboat be full? Since when is wanting a better life a good reason to trash another nation?
There is a labor shortage in this country. This is a lie. There are hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of American housewives, senior citizens, students, unemployed and underemployed who would gladly take jobs at a decent wage.
It is racist to want secure borders. What is racist about wanting secure borders and a secure America? What is racist about not wanting people to sneak into America and steal benefits we have set aside for legal aliens, senior citizens, children and other legal residents? What is it about race that entitles people to violate our laws, steal identities, and take the American Dream without paying the price? For about four decades American politicians have refused to secure our borders and look after the welfare of middle class Americans. These politicians have been of both parties. A huge debt to American society has resulted. This debt will be satisfied and the interest will be high. There have already been riots in the streets by illegal aliens and their supporters. There will be more. You, as a politician, have a choice to offend the illegal aliens who have stolen into this country and demanded the rights afforded to US citizens or to offend those of us who are stakeholders in this country. The interest will be steep either way. There will be civil unrest. There will be a reckoning. Do you have the courage to do what is right for America? Or, will you bow to the wants and needs of those who don't even have the right to remain here? There will be a reckoning.
It will come in November of this year, again in 2008 and yet again in 2010. We will not allow America to be stolen by third world agitators and thieves.
David J. Stoddard US Border Patrol (RET) Hereford, Arizona”
This letter is not printed here as a condemnation of Bill Frist but rather a blanket shaming of politicians in general who chose to ignore the United States Constitution and hide from the problem regardless of party.
All hats should be off to honor this border patrol agent who has identified the myths and solutions so well. He knew his duty even if our legislators haven’t a clue.
In His abiding love,
Cecil Moon
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
Monday Morning Rant 151
After .3 inches of rain on Friday, it would be hard to pick a fight with me about much of anything. It is a joy to watch God’s natural world respond to my perceived needs. When your water is supplied by your own individual well, you become much more aware of mysterious things like “water tables” and “submersible pumps.” During an extremely dry summer, you watch every cloud in hopeful anticipation. In six and half years, we have never run out of water but the thought is always there. The pump is over 80’ down the well shaft, nearly new, below the water level of the nearby Spring River, and draws from a total depth of nearly 200’. We also keep about 30 gallons of water in reserve for any emergency in a hodge-podge of containers—just in case.
The problem is exacerbated by the presence of juvenile tomato plants and our precious and precocious grapes busily climbing the deck which require daily water. This is in combination with a huge collection of flowers which also require daily irrigation. We were thrilled by the rain not just for us but also for the local farmers whose corn now exhibits leaf structure which resembles up thrust swords which funnels what little water may providentially fall from the sky with out loss. Now that we have had some relief, we may relax for another day or two and then renew our prayers of supplication.
A Declaration of Independence
"Day by Day" is the lead blog on my favorites list. Every morning, it sets the tone for the day as cartoon characters take on current events. After years of exposure, they have become personified by Scott Ott, the artist and proprietor of the website and have become as real to me as my entire body of friends.
The Sunday Post on June 27, 2010, is exemplary of his genius. First, go to the website and get the general taste of the offering. I have then taken the liberty of putting the main thrust into what I consider a more readable font—read it.
"…The history of the present King’ of America, Barack Obama, is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.
He has refused his Assent to established Laws, notably Immigration, Voting, and Contract Laws, the more wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, as with Arizona Immigration Law, unless suspended in the their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, or of hearing them, unless those people relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to those in the Tea Parties, and formidable to tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bodies behind closed doors, denying access, and at places unusual, uncomfortable and distant from the venue of the People, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
He has ignored and harassed Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasion on the rights of the people.
He has refused for a long time, after such dissolution, to heed fellow Americans who have been elected, whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise, the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion without, and convulsions within.
He has heartily endeavoured to raise the population of these States; solely for Partisan Party Gain only; and for that purpose obstructing the Laws of the Land pursuant to Immigration Law and Citizenship; refusing to pass others not inclined of his Views their migrations hither, and lowering the condition of said Citizenship.
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice by refusing his Assent to Laws of established Precedent, whether Contract Laws or Voting rights, via his minions, Eric Holder, et al.
He and Like Progressives have made Judges dependent on their Will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of New UnAccountable Czars, diluted the Authority of the People, and sent hither swarms of IRS Officers to harass our people and eat of their substance.
He plans to keep among Us, in times of peace, supported by Our own Industry, dissolute Obama Youth gangs, without the Consent of our Legislatures.
He has affected to render his Office, the Presidency, independent and superior to that of the People.
He has combined with Democrats, RINOS, Progressives, Communists, Dictators and Tyrants to subject Us to a jurisdiction foreign to our Constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation, to wit the “Stimulus Bill.” ”Healthcare,” Cap and Trade, and sundry Bills of Attainder Offensive to Citizens of the Nation.
For proposing Succor and Pay to a corrupted “Fourth Estate” that is inimical to Our Freedoms and federal subsidies of our own labor.
For protecting said “Fourth Estate” through payment of Favor and condemnation of Their Enemies, Fox News, Talk radio, Blogs, all of whereof Free Men speak, for any Libel should commit on Same.
For cutting off our Allies in all parts of the world:
For imposing Ruinous Taxes on us without our Consent; and for the Representation of Foreigners without taxation:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury, rather through their minions of their Press, and various Anonymous’ Sources:
For transporting us beyond the Pleasures of Logic and Reason; to try for pretended offences against this State:
For abolishing the free System of American Laws, establishing theirin an Arbitrary Progressive ‘government’, and enlarging its Boundaries, and redefinition of Language and Certitude, so as to render it once as an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute progressive/communist Rule into these States.
For taking away our Charter, abolishing our most valuable Laws and altering fundamentally and ‘Change’ the Forms of our Government.
For suspending our own Legislatures, whether Arizona, Texas, or the bosom of Local government and declaring Himself invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his ‘Beneficent Change’, and waging War against us.
He has plundered our Gulf, ravaged our coasts through his incompetence, burnt out our Currency, and destroyed the lives of our people.
He is at this time proposing to transport large Armies of foreign Illegal Immigrants to compleat the works of death , desolation and tyranny of One-Party Rule, already begun with the circumstances of the perversion of our Laws of Citizenship, scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy of an American president.
He has constrained our fellow Citizens to inform on their Countrymen on his website, against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and brethren, or to fall themselves by His hand.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, by race, by gender, social class and any and all machinations thereof, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Drug Lords and Islamic terrorists whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.
In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. Whether through his State of his Press, A President, whose character is this marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the President of a free people.
Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Progressive brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their congress to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have appealed to their claims of justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf, arrogant, contemptuous and dismissive to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.
We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do in the Name and by Authority of the good People of these States, solemnly publish and declare That the united States are absolved from all Allegiance to a tyrant President and that all political connection between them and those of foreign Progressive Coda, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. – And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.”
What you have just completed reading is the opinion of Scott Ott. It is also an opinion which is shared with your host. Each particular item is well documented and easily verifiable. Thank you for reading it.
And Finally
If you have been trapped in a cave this past week, you may have missed the post entitled, “They Walk Among Us” which is about Milwaukee supervisor Peggy West. (Just click on the archives for last week in the left hand column—you’ll find it easily.”) It may well be time to check the contents of the “liberal” water cooler. There may be something present which provokes a congressional representative to wonder about a Pacific Island overturning, a president of 57 states and a geography drop-out. Apparently, there was, indeed, a child or two “left behind.” Keep in mind that these people all hold elected positions and are the responsibility of those who pulled the lever for them—the voters. God help us!
In His abiding love,
Cecil Moon
The problem is exacerbated by the presence of juvenile tomato plants and our precious and precocious grapes busily climbing the deck which require daily water. This is in combination with a huge collection of flowers which also require daily irrigation. We were thrilled by the rain not just for us but also for the local farmers whose corn now exhibits leaf structure which resembles up thrust swords which funnels what little water may providentially fall from the sky with out loss. Now that we have had some relief, we may relax for another day or two and then renew our prayers of supplication.
A Declaration of Independence
"Day by Day" is the lead blog on my favorites list. Every morning, it sets the tone for the day as cartoon characters take on current events. After years of exposure, they have become personified by Scott Ott, the artist and proprietor of the website and have become as real to me as my entire body of friends.
The Sunday Post on June 27, 2010, is exemplary of his genius. First, go to the website and get the general taste of the offering. I have then taken the liberty of putting the main thrust into what I consider a more readable font—read it.
"…The history of the present King’ of America, Barack Obama, is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.
He has refused his Assent to established Laws, notably Immigration, Voting, and Contract Laws, the more wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, as with Arizona Immigration Law, unless suspended in the their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, or of hearing them, unless those people relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to those in the Tea Parties, and formidable to tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bodies behind closed doors, denying access, and at places unusual, uncomfortable and distant from the venue of the People, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
He has ignored and harassed Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasion on the rights of the people.
He has refused for a long time, after such dissolution, to heed fellow Americans who have been elected, whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise, the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion without, and convulsions within.
He has heartily endeavoured to raise the population of these States; solely for Partisan Party Gain only; and for that purpose obstructing the Laws of the Land pursuant to Immigration Law and Citizenship; refusing to pass others not inclined of his Views their migrations hither, and lowering the condition of said Citizenship.
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice by refusing his Assent to Laws of established Precedent, whether Contract Laws or Voting rights, via his minions, Eric Holder, et al.
He and Like Progressives have made Judges dependent on their Will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of New UnAccountable Czars, diluted the Authority of the People, and sent hither swarms of IRS Officers to harass our people and eat of their substance.
He plans to keep among Us, in times of peace, supported by Our own Industry, dissolute Obama Youth gangs, without the Consent of our Legislatures.
He has affected to render his Office, the Presidency, independent and superior to that of the People.
He has combined with Democrats, RINOS, Progressives, Communists, Dictators and Tyrants to subject Us to a jurisdiction foreign to our Constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation, to wit the “Stimulus Bill.” ”Healthcare,” Cap and Trade, and sundry Bills of Attainder Offensive to Citizens of the Nation.
For proposing Succor and Pay to a corrupted “Fourth Estate” that is inimical to Our Freedoms and federal subsidies of our own labor.
For protecting said “Fourth Estate” through payment of Favor and condemnation of Their Enemies, Fox News, Talk radio, Blogs, all of whereof Free Men speak, for any Libel should commit on Same.
For cutting off our Allies in all parts of the world:
For imposing Ruinous Taxes on us without our Consent; and for the Representation of Foreigners without taxation:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury, rather through their minions of their Press, and various Anonymous’ Sources:
For transporting us beyond the Pleasures of Logic and Reason; to try for pretended offences against this State:
For abolishing the free System of American Laws, establishing theirin an Arbitrary Progressive ‘government’, and enlarging its Boundaries, and redefinition of Language and Certitude, so as to render it once as an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute progressive/communist Rule into these States.
For taking away our Charter, abolishing our most valuable Laws and altering fundamentally and ‘Change’ the Forms of our Government.
For suspending our own Legislatures, whether Arizona, Texas, or the bosom of Local government and declaring Himself invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his ‘Beneficent Change’, and waging War against us.
He has plundered our Gulf, ravaged our coasts through his incompetence, burnt out our Currency, and destroyed the lives of our people.
He is at this time proposing to transport large Armies of foreign Illegal Immigrants to compleat the works of death , desolation and tyranny of One-Party Rule, already begun with the circumstances of the perversion of our Laws of Citizenship, scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy of an American president.
He has constrained our fellow Citizens to inform on their Countrymen on his website, against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and brethren, or to fall themselves by His hand.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, by race, by gender, social class and any and all machinations thereof, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Drug Lords and Islamic terrorists whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.
In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. Whether through his State of his Press, A President, whose character is this marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the President of a free people.
Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Progressive brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their congress to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have appealed to their claims of justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf, arrogant, contemptuous and dismissive to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.
We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do in the Name and by Authority of the good People of these States, solemnly publish and declare That the united States are absolved from all Allegiance to a tyrant President and that all political connection between them and those of foreign Progressive Coda, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. – And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.”
What you have just completed reading is the opinion of Scott Ott. It is also an opinion which is shared with your host. Each particular item is well documented and easily verifiable. Thank you for reading it.
And Finally
If you have been trapped in a cave this past week, you may have missed the post entitled, “They Walk Among Us” which is about Milwaukee supervisor Peggy West. (Just click on the archives for last week in the left hand column—you’ll find it easily.”) It may well be time to check the contents of the “liberal” water cooler. There may be something present which provokes a congressional representative to wonder about a Pacific Island overturning, a president of 57 states and a geography drop-out. Apparently, there was, indeed, a child or two “left behind.” Keep in mind that these people all hold elected positions and are the responsibility of those who pulled the lever for them—the voters. God help us!
In His abiding love,
Cecil Moon
Friday, June 25, 2010
They Walk Among Us!!!
Jeff Foxworthy’s show, “Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader” has a typical contestant pool in the Milwaukee city council. The premier candidate is Peggy West, the Democrat County Supervisor. Her grasp of geography was called into dispute during debate over a proposed boycott of Arizona because of their recently enacted SB 1070. Her exact quote follows:
“If this was Texas, which is a state that is directly on the border with Mexico, and they were calling for a measure like this saying that they had a major issue with undocumented people flooding their borders, I would have to look twice at this. But this is a state that is a ways removed from the border,”
To verify that these were the exact words which spewed from the mouth of this geographic genius, check on either this link or the other for a video confirmation.
When questioned about the accuracy of her remarks, she immediately fled to that universal refuge of the ignorant—“mis-spoke.” Give me a break!
Granny and I discussed this at length and she suggested that due to the proximity of the two states in any alphabetical list, West obviously confused Arizona with Alaska which also shares international borders with Russia and Canada. Shucks, anyone could easily make that error. They do indeed have so much in common: a substantial indigenous population, offshore oil reserves (not!), weather (not!), mutual agricultural interests (not!), size (not!), a huge fishing industry (not!), desert flora (not!), constant earthquakes (not!) and both are among the newest entries into the family of sovereign states. In each case, they should have a reasonable expectation of federal support in the defense of their population against a foreign invasion.
Peggy West has a degree from Milwaukee Area Technical College in Human Services. It is certain that this is a proud moment for that institution. One would surmise that in sixteen years of formal “education” she might have blundered upon a US map somewhere. Or not! In the future, we shall hold her up as the poster child for the current American educational system.
If you watched the video, you may have noted that the unidentified fellow supervisor in response to her outrageous comments refrained (unlike your host) from snark and derision in his remarks. My congratulations go to him in his restraint. It must have been difficult to refrain from laughing out loud.
In His abiding love,
Cecil Moon
“If this was Texas, which is a state that is directly on the border with Mexico, and they were calling for a measure like this saying that they had a major issue with undocumented people flooding their borders, I would have to look twice at this. But this is a state that is a ways removed from the border,”
To verify that these were the exact words which spewed from the mouth of this geographic genius, check on either this link or the other for a video confirmation.
When questioned about the accuracy of her remarks, she immediately fled to that universal refuge of the ignorant—“mis-spoke.” Give me a break!
Granny and I discussed this at length and she suggested that due to the proximity of the two states in any alphabetical list, West obviously confused Arizona with Alaska which also shares international borders with Russia and Canada. Shucks, anyone could easily make that error. They do indeed have so much in common: a substantial indigenous population, offshore oil reserves (not!), weather (not!), mutual agricultural interests (not!), size (not!), a huge fishing industry (not!), desert flora (not!), constant earthquakes (not!) and both are among the newest entries into the family of sovereign states. In each case, they should have a reasonable expectation of federal support in the defense of their population against a foreign invasion.
Peggy West has a degree from Milwaukee Area Technical College in Human Services. It is certain that this is a proud moment for that institution. One would surmise that in sixteen years of formal “education” she might have blundered upon a US map somewhere. Or not! In the future, we shall hold her up as the poster child for the current American educational system.
If you watched the video, you may have noted that the unidentified fellow supervisor in response to her outrageous comments refrained (unlike your host) from snark and derision in his remarks. My congratulations go to him in his restraint. It must have been difficult to refrain from laughing out loud.
In His abiding love,
Cecil Moon
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Public Education – A Continuing Debacle
The Cato Institute has compiled an extremely instructive chart which compares escalating educational costs with resultant “achievement.” It covers the period from 1970 to 2009 showing the soaring per-pupil costs compared to the flat line results of student mastery of the core curricula—reading, math, and science. It deserves your careful examination.
(Ed. – We have had serious difficulty posting this graph, go to this link for an expandable copy. )
If you choose to disregard this table, and ignore its importance to you and your children, you will join the millions of others who have allowed it to take place. This represents fiscal irresponsibility in its premier hour. “It’s for the children” is a lofty phrase used to raise funds for ever increasing allotments for school district’s infrastructure and burgeoning staff. Among the items which have exacerbated the cost figures are those which have little to do with increasing knowledge: facilities, pensions, unions, layers of administration, student transportation, sophisticated equipment, etc... Bringing the student population up to a level to cope in today’s world is obviously not the goal of school districts. Feathering the nest of the school bureaucracy is the modern centerpiece of education.
The Department of Education (DE) was created during the Carter administration and began operations in mid-1980. Thirty years later, with 5000 employees, and a current annual budget of $68,600,000,000.00, (68.6 billion) there is little evidence to support that the federal agency has accomplished anything to enhance the learning capacity of those it was advertised to aid. For the 55,203,000 K-12 students, this represents $1242 each annually from the federal government to prepare them for life as an adult. According to the chart above, it would have been a better investment to have sent each one a check. Keep in mind this represents only 8.5% of the total educational outlay. The balance is supplied by states, local entities and private sources.
Our total annual educational budget is in excess of half a trillion dollars. Is it unreasonable to expect, for that sum, that student achievement might increase by an insignificant 1% per year? How about, we settle for a mere .5% per year? What sort of fiscal fool would make any investment over forty years with no return (0-zip!-nada!-zilch!) on those monies? In reality, the achievement level has actually dropped! Worse than getting no return, we are actually losing day by day.
Even though DE is the poster child for useless government agencies with their wasteful and inappropriate priorities, attempts to eliminate it have proven extremely difficult. Even more difficult and more dangerous as well, is the affect of unions on the education of our youth. Their dedication is to the enhancement of the lives of the teachers and the union hierarchy. Dismissal of deadwood in a K-12 faculty has proven nearly impossible as a result. If you doubt the presence of “deadwood”, return for one more visit to the above chart.
This waste and inefficiency lies comfortably beside most of the other problems which occupy an inflated government. Obviously, the solution is to minimize the federal influence and return to state sovereignty. No more logical or necessary activity needs be accomplished than to get the fed out of the ed business along with many others where there is equivalent inefficiency. If one cannot understand this attempt to tear down America through the destruction of our most valuable asset, our youngsters, then there is no hope for the republic.
In His abiding love,
Cecil Moon
(Ed. – We have had serious difficulty posting this graph, go to this link for an expandable copy. )
If you choose to disregard this table, and ignore its importance to you and your children, you will join the millions of others who have allowed it to take place. This represents fiscal irresponsibility in its premier hour. “It’s for the children” is a lofty phrase used to raise funds for ever increasing allotments for school district’s infrastructure and burgeoning staff. Among the items which have exacerbated the cost figures are those which have little to do with increasing knowledge: facilities, pensions, unions, layers of administration, student transportation, sophisticated equipment, etc... Bringing the student population up to a level to cope in today’s world is obviously not the goal of school districts. Feathering the nest of the school bureaucracy is the modern centerpiece of education.
The Department of Education (DE) was created during the Carter administration and began operations in mid-1980. Thirty years later, with 5000 employees, and a current annual budget of $68,600,000,000.00, (68.6 billion) there is little evidence to support that the federal agency has accomplished anything to enhance the learning capacity of those it was advertised to aid. For the 55,203,000 K-12 students, this represents $1242 each annually from the federal government to prepare them for life as an adult. According to the chart above, it would have been a better investment to have sent each one a check. Keep in mind this represents only 8.5% of the total educational outlay. The balance is supplied by states, local entities and private sources.
Our total annual educational budget is in excess of half a trillion dollars. Is it unreasonable to expect, for that sum, that student achievement might increase by an insignificant 1% per year? How about, we settle for a mere .5% per year? What sort of fiscal fool would make any investment over forty years with no return (0-zip!-nada!-zilch!) on those monies? In reality, the achievement level has actually dropped! Worse than getting no return, we are actually losing day by day.
Even though DE is the poster child for useless government agencies with their wasteful and inappropriate priorities, attempts to eliminate it have proven extremely difficult. Even more difficult and more dangerous as well, is the affect of unions on the education of our youth. Their dedication is to the enhancement of the lives of the teachers and the union hierarchy. Dismissal of deadwood in a K-12 faculty has proven nearly impossible as a result. If you doubt the presence of “deadwood”, return for one more visit to the above chart.
This waste and inefficiency lies comfortably beside most of the other problems which occupy an inflated government. Obviously, the solution is to minimize the federal influence and return to state sovereignty. No more logical or necessary activity needs be accomplished than to get the fed out of the ed business along with many others where there is equivalent inefficiency. If one cannot understand this attempt to tear down America through the destruction of our most valuable asset, our youngsters, then there is no hope for the republic.
In His abiding love,
Cecil Moon
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
The Lieberman-Collins Cybersecurity Bill
Stewart Baker is busy wearing himself out pushing the bill through to law. In the process, he assures us that we may dispense with calling it a “kill-switch.” Previously, many thought there was to be a giant master-switch lurking in a closet in the White House which could be pulled to disable the entirety of the internet. This, he assures us, is definitely not the case. No such device is either operative or planned. You may now relax and continue playing video poker or checking on the latest utterance from Glen Reynolds and Instapundit without fear of interruption.
Well, almost; there is in the bill, a provision to terminate—as necessary of course—that portion of the internet system which demonstrates special vulnerability to attack. This contingency would present you with the “blue screen of death” indicating the cessation of your service. Since you will be reasonably certain that you paid your bill with the provider you may then assume that the nation is under some sort of cyber attack. Therefore, for safety concerns, the net has shut down to protect it from the intrusion of all the nastiness to which, the cyber world is host. Do not even think of calling this a “kill switch.”
This invaluable legislation would, by enabling the cessation of cyber traffic, probably efficiently enable commerce, entertainment, information sharing, messaging, to all come to a sudden halt. Tens of thousands of geeks, cooped up in their mom’s basement, upon this occurrence, would likely immediately soil their jammies in despair. This would not be a pretty sight.
If your idea of security is turning everything over to the government for efficient management then you will love this legislation. As a mish-mash of loosely defined terms and indistinct wording with executive discretion being the controlling factor, this is a prime example. It is clear that an ambiguously identified threat exists. It would appear to make more sense to turn the solution over to a bunch of IT geeks who really do know what their doing and keep the congress out of it. It does remain though, that if one were able to pull the plug on the internet, it would cut down on a great deal of criticism.
In His abiding love,
Cecil Moon
Well, almost; there is in the bill, a provision to terminate—as necessary of course—that portion of the internet system which demonstrates special vulnerability to attack. This contingency would present you with the “blue screen of death” indicating the cessation of your service. Since you will be reasonably certain that you paid your bill with the provider you may then assume that the nation is under some sort of cyber attack. Therefore, for safety concerns, the net has shut down to protect it from the intrusion of all the nastiness to which, the cyber world is host. Do not even think of calling this a “kill switch.”
This invaluable legislation would, by enabling the cessation of cyber traffic, probably efficiently enable commerce, entertainment, information sharing, messaging, to all come to a sudden halt. Tens of thousands of geeks, cooped up in their mom’s basement, upon this occurrence, would likely immediately soil their jammies in despair. This would not be a pretty sight.
If your idea of security is turning everything over to the government for efficient management then you will love this legislation. As a mish-mash of loosely defined terms and indistinct wording with executive discretion being the controlling factor, this is a prime example. It is clear that an ambiguously identified threat exists. It would appear to make more sense to turn the solution over to a bunch of IT geeks who really do know what their doing and keep the congress out of it. It does remain though, that if one were able to pull the plug on the internet, it would cut down on a great deal of criticism.
In His abiding love,
Cecil Moon
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Monday Morning Rant 151
Well Dad, did they let you sleep late on Father’s Day? Did the kids call from far-away places to fulfill a perfunctory obligation? Did you hear that plaintive apology; “I thought you really liked rice pilaf.” Do you really have room enough left in the closet for one more cardigan? Who got stuck with the check for the after church dinner at the local buffet?
What I truly hope you got was a crudely drawn and carelessly colored picture of a tiny person clinging to the hand of a giant person leading through a dangerous wood. If you got that—or a similar facsimile—then, my fellow father, you are a success. That perception is really all that matters and will last another 364 days until the next go-round. Don’t put it on the refrigerator with magnets; fold it and carry it next to your heart.
“…the times which try men’s souls”
Yes, these are indeed, those times. I seriously doubt that as we read the quotes of the many brave and enduring founders of this nation from two and a third centuries ago in our history classes that we envisioned that we would have to endure those times. The naiveté of our youth, the frantic energy of our early adulthood and concerns for our closing years have blocked us from realizing that the maintenance of liberty needs constant attention. We are absorbed by our individual concerns and often fail to recognize our civic responsibilities. This is a failing which we can ill afford.
My first real encounter with an assault on my country and its form of government was in 1948 with the United World Federalists. It was an organization formed to carry the fledgling United Nations a step further and into a “new world order.” For those who had, through their relative youth, been unable to contribute measurably to the recent war, it held the appeal of a “united” world with a single federated government which they implied, could ban war. I attended several recruitment drives until I figured out exactly what they were trying to accomplish. As soon as it dawned on me that our national identity, history and character would be abolished in favor of a universal one-world government, I said thanks--but, no thanks. I had learned the concept of sovereignty too well. They have essentially disappeared as an organization, but the concept lingers on.
In the interval since, although my interest in national politics has grown, it has not been in step with cataclysmic changes which have taken place in the halls of governance. The creeping advance of intrusion, regulation, interference, and subsequent annoyance has outpaced any reasonable effort to keep up. Even though the UWF is no longer functional, the basic ideas continue to rear their ugly head. I have come to view each and every cockamamie plan for reorganization of our way of life through the same prism. Once reduced to a simple question; we find backing or not to be a simple matter. Is this marvelous new way of life dependent upon citizen input and control or is it relying upon top down governance?
We now fast-forward to 2008 and the advent of our new “Hope and Change” masters. Shall we conclude that now everything has really changed? All indications put the lie to that thought through simple observation of nearly every action of the current administration. Much of what is offered as a stunning new development is merely a rehash of the old World Federalist talking points. The modus operendi is unchanged and calls for the dissolution of the United States as we have come to know and love it. However, it’s the same old witch dressed up in tighter fitting, more attractive clothes. She’s still riding a broomstick and uses more Botox to cope with the ravages of a deteriorating surface.
The remarkable success of the United States has long been the fly in the ointment for those who would reshape the world. By our constant example of free enterprise, hard work and individual initiative and the rewards offered to those who adhere to that precept and example, we have managed to thwart most of the efforts to change our basic structure. By placing their own agent of change in the White House, those who seek our downfall are buoyed by his constant efforts to effect that end. It is therefore that each citizen must become familiar with those principles which have led to the point which we occupy today and attempt to understand each and every move which the administration takes.
These are indeed, “trying times” and require more from each one of us. The immensity of the issues facing the country requires knowledge of where we have been, what we have done, and not least an understanding of where we are headed. Most important, they require a citizen involvement of major importance. It is our country and if we are to preserve it for our progeny, we must extend an effort to retain it. If you choose to go AWOL on this most important assignment, we shall all suffer the consequences. As a father, grandfather, and great grandfather I cannot contemplate the thought of bequeathing my progeny anything other than the blessed country of my birth to have and to enjoy as I have. To defend it is the least we can all do.
A Deep Lie in a Shallow Speech
Last week, the president (“Yes we can, Mmmm, Mmmm, Mmmm”) stated without hesitation: “Part of the reason oil companies are drilling a mile beneath the surface of the ocean, is because we’re running out of places to drill on land and in shallow water.”
That is probably the biggest whopper he has told to date. Any company who seeks to recover oil must have prior permission to proceed with drilling. If the easy sites are taken or prohibited, then they must drill where a permit can be issued. Charles Krauthammer discussed this in an article posted in National Review by saying the following:
“Running out of places on land? What about the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge or the less-known National Petroleum Reserve — 23 million acres of Alaska’s North Slope, near the existing pipeline and designated nearly a century ago for petroleum development — that have been shut down by the federal government?
Running out of shallow-water sources? How about the Pacific Ocean, a not-inconsiderable body of water, and its vast U.S. coastline? That’s been off-limits to new drilling for three decades.
We haven’t run out of safer and more easily accessible sources of oil. We’ve been run off them by environmentalists. They prefer to dream green instead.” (For the rest of this article, click here for the National Review website.)
Dr. Krauthammer speaks only to the offshore possibilities. When the possibility of extracting petroleum from shale oil is finally nailed down the size of our continental reserves is recognized as sufficient for centuries of domestic demand. Even barring that technology, the availability of drilling sites on dry ground are mammoth if one can get the EPA and other agencies out of the way.
Just a reminder to the president, when oil first came into the public eye it was discovered in Pennsylvania, drilled from dry ground and the thought of an offshore rig was an unheard of pipe dream. Even then, folks were subject to rank ignorance and I had relatives who insisted that one should never use any oil on any machine except that extracted from Pennsylvania. Oil extraction from PA today probably wouldn’t be sufficient to lube our collective pencil sharpeners.
I shall never allow myself to become accustomed to blatant falsehood coming from the oval office. God help us all.
And finally,
Little has changed here on the ridge. It’s still running in excess of 90° daily, with sufficient night time rumblings to keep Maggie on edge. Granny filled the hummingbird feeder the first of the week and the little devils have sucked up nearly a liter in less than a week. They are now hitting the feeder in groups of two and three. I’m sure glad I bought two bags of sugar on my last trip to the store. Two separate grape plants have reached the roof and we have several mini-tomatoes coming on—and flowers everywhere. God is good!
In His abiding love,
Cecil Moon
What I truly hope you got was a crudely drawn and carelessly colored picture of a tiny person clinging to the hand of a giant person leading through a dangerous wood. If you got that—or a similar facsimile—then, my fellow father, you are a success. That perception is really all that matters and will last another 364 days until the next go-round. Don’t put it on the refrigerator with magnets; fold it and carry it next to your heart.
“…the times which try men’s souls”
Yes, these are indeed, those times. I seriously doubt that as we read the quotes of the many brave and enduring founders of this nation from two and a third centuries ago in our history classes that we envisioned that we would have to endure those times. The naiveté of our youth, the frantic energy of our early adulthood and concerns for our closing years have blocked us from realizing that the maintenance of liberty needs constant attention. We are absorbed by our individual concerns and often fail to recognize our civic responsibilities. This is a failing which we can ill afford.
My first real encounter with an assault on my country and its form of government was in 1948 with the United World Federalists. It was an organization formed to carry the fledgling United Nations a step further and into a “new world order.” For those who had, through their relative youth, been unable to contribute measurably to the recent war, it held the appeal of a “united” world with a single federated government which they implied, could ban war. I attended several recruitment drives until I figured out exactly what they were trying to accomplish. As soon as it dawned on me that our national identity, history and character would be abolished in favor of a universal one-world government, I said thanks--but, no thanks. I had learned the concept of sovereignty too well. They have essentially disappeared as an organization, but the concept lingers on.
In the interval since, although my interest in national politics has grown, it has not been in step with cataclysmic changes which have taken place in the halls of governance. The creeping advance of intrusion, regulation, interference, and subsequent annoyance has outpaced any reasonable effort to keep up. Even though the UWF is no longer functional, the basic ideas continue to rear their ugly head. I have come to view each and every cockamamie plan for reorganization of our way of life through the same prism. Once reduced to a simple question; we find backing or not to be a simple matter. Is this marvelous new way of life dependent upon citizen input and control or is it relying upon top down governance?
We now fast-forward to 2008 and the advent of our new “Hope and Change” masters. Shall we conclude that now everything has really changed? All indications put the lie to that thought through simple observation of nearly every action of the current administration. Much of what is offered as a stunning new development is merely a rehash of the old World Federalist talking points. The modus operendi is unchanged and calls for the dissolution of the United States as we have come to know and love it. However, it’s the same old witch dressed up in tighter fitting, more attractive clothes. She’s still riding a broomstick and uses more Botox to cope with the ravages of a deteriorating surface.
The remarkable success of the United States has long been the fly in the ointment for those who would reshape the world. By our constant example of free enterprise, hard work and individual initiative and the rewards offered to those who adhere to that precept and example, we have managed to thwart most of the efforts to change our basic structure. By placing their own agent of change in the White House, those who seek our downfall are buoyed by his constant efforts to effect that end. It is therefore that each citizen must become familiar with those principles which have led to the point which we occupy today and attempt to understand each and every move which the administration takes.
These are indeed, “trying times” and require more from each one of us. The immensity of the issues facing the country requires knowledge of where we have been, what we have done, and not least an understanding of where we are headed. Most important, they require a citizen involvement of major importance. It is our country and if we are to preserve it for our progeny, we must extend an effort to retain it. If you choose to go AWOL on this most important assignment, we shall all suffer the consequences. As a father, grandfather, and great grandfather I cannot contemplate the thought of bequeathing my progeny anything other than the blessed country of my birth to have and to enjoy as I have. To defend it is the least we can all do.
A Deep Lie in a Shallow Speech
Last week, the president (“Yes we can, Mmmm, Mmmm, Mmmm”) stated without hesitation: “Part of the reason oil companies are drilling a mile beneath the surface of the ocean, is because we’re running out of places to drill on land and in shallow water.”
That is probably the biggest whopper he has told to date. Any company who seeks to recover oil must have prior permission to proceed with drilling. If the easy sites are taken or prohibited, then they must drill where a permit can be issued. Charles Krauthammer discussed this in an article posted in National Review by saying the following:
“Running out of places on land? What about the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge or the less-known National Petroleum Reserve — 23 million acres of Alaska’s North Slope, near the existing pipeline and designated nearly a century ago for petroleum development — that have been shut down by the federal government?
Running out of shallow-water sources? How about the Pacific Ocean, a not-inconsiderable body of water, and its vast U.S. coastline? That’s been off-limits to new drilling for three decades.
We haven’t run out of safer and more easily accessible sources of oil. We’ve been run off them by environmentalists. They prefer to dream green instead.” (For the rest of this article, click here for the National Review website.)
Dr. Krauthammer speaks only to the offshore possibilities. When the possibility of extracting petroleum from shale oil is finally nailed down the size of our continental reserves is recognized as sufficient for centuries of domestic demand. Even barring that technology, the availability of drilling sites on dry ground are mammoth if one can get the EPA and other agencies out of the way.
Just a reminder to the president, when oil first came into the public eye it was discovered in Pennsylvania, drilled from dry ground and the thought of an offshore rig was an unheard of pipe dream. Even then, folks were subject to rank ignorance and I had relatives who insisted that one should never use any oil on any machine except that extracted from Pennsylvania. Oil extraction from PA today probably wouldn’t be sufficient to lube our collective pencil sharpeners.
I shall never allow myself to become accustomed to blatant falsehood coming from the oval office. God help us all.
And finally,
Little has changed here on the ridge. It’s still running in excess of 90° daily, with sufficient night time rumblings to keep Maggie on edge. Granny filled the hummingbird feeder the first of the week and the little devils have sucked up nearly a liter in less than a week. They are now hitting the feeder in groups of two and three. I’m sure glad I bought two bags of sugar on my last trip to the store. Two separate grape plants have reached the roof and we have several mini-tomatoes coming on—and flowers everywhere. God is good!
In His abiding love,
Cecil Moon
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Obama at the Bat
This came in the mail this morning from a dear old friend and I present it to you as a pleasant respite. It is a priceless reworking of the favorite childhood poem, “Casey at the Bat” by Earnest Thayer. Do yourself a favor and check it out.
In His abiding love,
Cecil Moon
In His abiding love,
Cecil Moon
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