Venezuela, Can We Have Your Soap Opera Stars?

Isn’t it ironic that celebrities and “big media” news anchors in Venezuela are leading movements against a socialist regime, while a large number of the same crown in the U.S. seem to be encouraging movement towards socialism and governmental regulation?

Soap opera stars leading a march may not sound like a big deal, but soap stars in South America are the equivalent to movie stars here.

From Reuters:

Waving flags with the logo of RCTV, demonstrators packed the streets of the capital where news anchors and soap opera stars slammed the imminent closure of the opposition channel.

Smoking Bans — Legislation in the Nazi Tradition

I’m watching a program on the History Channel that documents the non-smoking laws/rules instituted by Hitler in the 1940s.  Apparently German scientists figured out that smoking was bad for you (duh?) about a decade before anyone else.  Hitler banned smoking in his presence, as well as on public properties.  There was also quiet a bit of propaganda against smoking.

The Nazi view was that a German’s body belonged to the State, and that polluting or abusing it was damaging public property.  Individual rights be damned.  I’m sure glad that kind of thing doesn’t happen here.

Talking Cameras to Monitor for Litter

Oh boy. 

Home Secretary John Reid told BBC News there would be some people, “in the minority who will be more concerned about what they claim are civil liberties intrusions”.

What about this isn’t an intrusion on civil liberties?  And so what if the people who are concerned are in the minority?  As I recall from history, we had a minority in this country who claimed their civil liberties were being denied. 

 They were right.  The point that they were in the minority is moot.

Poker Police Strike Again

Reason tells us about raids in Georgia, North Carolina, and some especially dangerous card sharks in Dallas.

I don’t get to play as much poker as I would like, but luckily, I’ve never been involved in a home game that was broken up by a S.W.A.T. team.  I’d like to believe that this is mainly due to the fact that our state and local law enforcement realize it would be a stupid waste of time.

However, I fear that home poker games will be next on their list, as soon as they can rid us of the social scurge that is cock fighting.

Do Smoking Bans Cause DUIs?

From the KNS:

”As the U.S. Surgeon General said last year — the debate is over, the science is clear. Secondhand smoke is a serious health hazard that causes premature death and disease in children and nonsmoking adults,” said Conte.

That statement is certainly true, and I’m not contesting it.  However, there is one small detail to this issue that proponents of smoking bans overlook–the freedom to choose. Continue reading “Do Smoking Bans Cause DUIs?”

More Important Legislation–Wheelies

Michael Silence reports on the new “wheelie ban” in Tennessee. This piece of worthless legislation was the gift of the generous Vince Dean. There was, however some opposition.

House Judiciary Chairman Rob Briley questioned the need for the legislation, since police can already pull over motorcyclists for wheelies.

“We ought to leave well enough alone with the current law,“ said Briley, D-Nashville.
Dean amended his bill to exclude inadvertent wheelies, and those performed in parades by adults riding slower than 30 mph.

So let me get this straight. Continue reading “More Important Legislation–Wheelies”

Marine Tattoo Ban

New regulations barring U.S. Marines from getting large tattoo:

Marines already tattooed are exempt from the ban but cannot add to their designs; anyone caught with fresh ink in the wrong places could be barred from re-enlistment or face disciplinary action. Getting a prohibited tattoo could constitute a violation of a lawful order, punishable by up to two years in prison and a dishonorable discharge, Marine spokesman 1st Lt. Brian Donnelly said.

Unbelievable. With retention and recruiting numbers down and no end in sight for the war, it doesn’t seem unreasonable to me for guys who are willing to face bullets on my behalf to have the freedom to get inked. Unrelated, but these guys should be able to (legally) drink as well.

Dollars – The American Language

One of the big issues surrounding the illegal immigration debate is language. Here in Tennessee, legislation has been sponsored to limit the languages of state documents to English only, and there have been other issues involving foreign language books in public school libraries. It seems to be old reliable for anti-immigration people–attack the fact that immigrants can’t/don’t/won’t speak English.

Continue reading “Dollars – The American Language”

Tolerance of Smokers

American Thinker has a pretty humorous take on the Left’s tolerance agenda

Perhaps schools should have smoking education courses where students pretend to smoke and can learn a lesson about intolerance and bigotry towards smokers?

Hilarious.