Conservative Musings

Happy Reformation Day

One of my heroes of the Christian Church is Martin Luther.  In studying his life, I had discovered that several steps of his life's journeys are similar to mine.  His journey leading to his belief of salvation "by faith alone" mirrors steps followed in my own life.  His desire to see the common German understand and read the Bible (leading to him taking up translating the Bible for them) mirrors my own desire to see folks understand the Word at whatever level they are at.

I say all this to lead to my comments that October 31st is not only All Hallows Eve but has also been labeled "Reformation Day".  On October 31st, 1517, Luther nailed to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenburg, Germany, his 95 Theses challenging many of the teachings of the Catholic Church of that day.

Happy 490th!

-Colonel Steve

Valour-IT

As of yesterday, the yearly fund raising competition for Valour-IT has begun.  This will run until Sunday, November 11th.

Valour-IT stands for Voice-Activated Laptops for OUR Injured Troops.

Like last year, we've joined the Army Team.  This is in honor of my late father-in-law, who served 44 years in the Kentucky National Guard and the Army (including tours in World War II and Korean War).

In spite of the friendly competition, all funds donated will purchase computers on an as needed basis for any troop needing one.  Please consider giving...to any team.

But I'd be remiss if I didn't at least say GO ARMY!!!!

-Colonel Steve

Comet 17P Holmes

For a little while, we have a new "star" in the night.  That star, found in the constellation Perseus, is the comet designated as 17P Holmes.  Spaceweather.com already has several pages of amateur astronomer photos.  One astrophotographer from Sweden even commented about his photo: "Amazing! The comet is so bright that I had to do a short exposure not getting the comet overexposured in the photo! A really surprise!"

So far, this comet hasn't approached the photogenic qualities of Hale-Bopp.  But, considering it's quick rise in brightness, we might just see some good looks at it's tail in the near future.

Holmes will be a great object to view this Wednesday night, as I'll be out at a fall festival at Forest Park Community Church.  A couple of other guys and myself will be setting up telescopes for the kids to get a different view of God's creation.

Update:  Check out the Heaven's Above page for information on 17P Holmes and other objects that can be seen in the sky.

-Colonel Steve

McConnell - Stumbo Race in 2008?

Mitch McConnell's seat in the Senate has been put on the top of the democrat's hit list for 2008.  One of those who has been exploring running against him is Kentucky's Attorney General Greg Stumbo.  According to Ed Morrissey though, things don't look so good for Stumbo.

Given Stumbo's assertion of having already raised some significant cash, I decided to check out where the money has originated -- inside or outside of Kentucky. That would give some indication as to Stumbo's chances of unseating McConnell.

This is where the problem arises. Stumbo didn't file any Q3 FEC reports on his donors. Normally, someone who has started exploratory activities doesn't need to do so -- unless they register that exploration committee with the FEC. Stumbo did exactly that in July, as one can see at this FEC link (the PDFs can be read here). That action makes Stumbo a candidate regardless of whether he calls the committee an "exploratory" organization or not. As the FEC site itself says:

Candidate listings may appear here as a result of draft committees or independent expenditure committees registering with the FEC. If no official documents of an authorized committee appear below, the individual identified here has taken no action to become a candidate.

If he's there, he's registered as a candidate. As a candidate, Stumbo has to file quarterly reports on contributions and expenses. However, the FEC has received no report at all from Stumbo -- at least as shown here.  The failure to file a campaign report makes it impossible to see where Stumbo gets his money, and where he spends it. 

Ed goes on to state that Stumbo can very easily fix this problem in the coming days.  It will be interesting to see if he does or not.  Anyone who comes across any news of it, let me know.  But really, I won't be holding my breath.  I mean, he is a democrat.  Ethics only apply to conservatives.

-Colonel Steve

Edward's and Your Wallet

Recently Hillary Clinton was quoted as saying "I have a million ideas. The country can't afford them all."  It now looks like John Edwards is following her lead.

Edwards, a former Democratic senator from North Carolina, says the federal government should underwrite universal pre-kindergarten, create matching savings accounts for low-income people, mandate a minimum wage of $9.50 and provide a million new Section 8 housing vouchers for the poor. He also pledged to start a government-funded public higher education program called "College for Everyone."

"It is central to what I want to do as president to do something about economic inequality. I do not believe it is okay for the United States of America to have 37 million people living in poverty," he said in a meeting with Monitor reporters and editors this week. "And I think we need, desperately need, a president who will say that to America and call on Americans to show their character."

At every stop, Edwards said, he tells voters he'll ask them to sacrifice. Asked to describe what he means, he described his plan for increases in capital gains taxes, saying taxes on "wealth income" should be in line with those on work income.

If I read this right, he's looking to give everyone pre-kindergarten, college, health care, and a minimum wage of $9.50.  Oh yeah, and give everyone "equal sacrifice."  This equal sacrifice sounds to me that, after taxes, we'll all be equally poor.

-Colonel Steve

A Shorter Workweek for Congress

After last year's elections put the democrats in charge, this new majority promised they'd put the House of Representatives back to work.  So much for that promise.

But 10 months into the session, with their legislative agenda often in gridlock with the Bush administration and a big election year looming, the Democrats are now planning a lighter schedule when the 110th Congress begins its second year in mid-January.

The House majority leader, Representative Steny H. Hoyer of Maryland, told fellow Democrats this week that the House would not be in session next year on Fridays, except in June for work on appropriations bills.

Explaining that decision to reporters, Mr. Hoyer said, “I do intend to have more time for members to work in their districts and to be close to their families.”

His comments drew snickers from Republicans, who are quite happy to share their view that the American people did not get much value for all the extra time lawmakers spent in Washington.

Like I've said before: "A democrat elected.....a promise broken."  Besides that, I rather like Congress working less days.  That just means less time for them to mess up my life.

I think Scott Ott has the right idea about this.

-Colonel Steve

Shatner Missing in Star Trek Prequel

Looks like William Shatner won't be in the next Star Trek movie, but his former First Officer Leonard Nimoy will.

The original Capt. Kirk is disheartened he won't get to boldly go anywhere with his old pal Spock in the new "Star Trek" movie.

While Leonard Nimoy is reprising his role as the pointy-eared Vulcan in next year's science-fiction flick, William Shatner is not on board as Kirk.

"I couldn't believe it. I'm not in the movie at all. Leonard, God bless his heart, is in, but not me," Shatner, 76, told The Associated Press on Thursday. "I thought, what a decision to make, since it obviously is a decision not to make use of the popularity I have to ensure the movie has good box office. It didn't seem to be a wise business decision."

Director J.J. Abrams announced last summer that Nimoy would reprise the role he originated opposite Shatner in the 1960s television show and played again in six big-screen adventures.

Abrams said Shatner probably would have a part in the film, which is due in theaters in December 2008. But while Shatner said he had a couple of meetings with Abrams, nothing came of it.

Abrams' "Trek" film, whose plot is being kept under wraps by distributor Paramount, recounts an early adventure for the crew of the starship Enterprise, with Chris Pines as the young Kirk and Zachary Quinto as the young Spock.

The cast includes Karl Urban as Dr. McCoy, Simon Pegg as engineer Scott, John Cho as helmsman Sulu, Zoe Saldana as communications officer Uhura and Anton Yelchin as navigator Chekov, roles respectively originated by DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, George Takei, Nichelle Nichols and Walter Koenig.

It will be interesting to see how an Original Series version will look with only one of the original actors in it.  Of course, the story line is even more important.  That will make or break the franchise.  Based on all the fan produced web shows there are out there, that do not include the original cast, missing Shatner won't be the key in it doing well (or not).

(HT: Below the Beltway)

-Colonel Steve

What Does The Letters FEMA Stand For?

Probably should stand for "Fake Emergency Media Actors" or anything else along those lines.  What an insult to any media organization.  See here exactly what the furor is about....FEMA employees posing as reporters at a quickly organized news conference on the California wildfires.

As Captain Ed put it, "Who comes up with ideas like this?  It's almost as if the writers of The Onion have infiltrated the government." Sounds like something from them or Scott Ott at Scrappleface.

What should be going on in the reporting worlds is what Brian Chupp at the site The Game Fish is doing.  He has turned his website into a temporary blog, for folks to get news out about the wildfires in Brian's area.  Like quick moving news, it's not always 100% accurate, but much better than the 0% FEMA gets on this.  (HT: Hugh Hewitt)

Hugh also has a very good point....for those willing to help out, his idea of the California Relief Fund through Feed the Children is a tremendous idea.

-Colonel Steve

24 Season 7

They've issued the season 7 trailer for 24 already in the United Kingdom.  Looks to be another interesting season for Jack Bauer.

Enjoy!



-Colonel Steve

Your Tax Dollars At Work.....

....being used to sell more taxes to you.  That's why I'm glad to see state senator Dan Seum pre-filing this bill discussed by the Courier-Journal.

The bill would basically, in the instance described, make it illegal for say library workers to discuss on company time the referendum to raise taxes for the library.  This would actually make them on par with employees like myself at private companies, who also are prohibited from pushing politics on company time.

I have to strongly disagree with fellow republican Ellen Call, of the Metro Council 26th District.  She is quoted as saying "turn our librarians into criminals. … It is not wrong for them to give information to citizens."  Sorry, Ellen, but I would take any conversation like that as being less about information and more about pressure.  It's that pressure side that companies see when they prohibit discussing politics at work.

Also, don't forget, one of the library taxes biggest proponents, Mayor-for-life Jerry Abramson, ran on the promise of not raising taxes for things like libraries.  A democrat elected.....a promise broken.

-Colonel Steve