Ringside Politics lists the 'Turkeys of the Year'

• Truth Serum Today: Be a Partner in our Free Speech Zone - Click
• All You Wanted to Know About the Truth Serum Blog - Click

Three of the GOP's Sorest Losers

Since my Ringside Politics radio and TV programs started in 1999, I have enjoyed an annual Thanksgiving tradition of bestowing a “Turkey of the Year” award to the most deserving celebrity or politician. Of course, these are “winners” who distinguished themselves in a particularly foolish way.

Previous winners have included filmmaker Michael Moore, former House Speakers John Boehner and Nancy Pelosi, President Barack Obama and former New Orleans Mayor, current federal inmate, Ray Nagin.

This year, the list of nominations was almost endless. It has been a political year like no other, but it has been dominated by one person, President-elect Donald Trump. He burst onto the political scene as a businessman and outsider who was tired of the insufferable weight of political correctness. He declared his goal was to “Make America Great Again,” by “draining the swamp” around Washington D.C. and putting “America First.”

It all started on June 16, 2015 before a huge crowd at the Trump Tower in New York City. In his initial speech, Trump claimed that the country needed a wall on the southern border and that Mexico would pay for it. He also lambasted Mexico for “sending people that have lots of problems, and they’re bringing those problems with us. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.”

Immediately, Trump was labeled a racist and the media started to ridicule his presidential plans. There were also efforts to financially harm Trump’s business empire. His Miss Universe show was dropped by television networks, the first indication that his presidential aspirations would be met with fierce opposition.

In the GOP race, Trump faced 16 seasoned challengers, many of them are members of the Republican Party establishment. These candidates were quick to condemn Trump whenever he made a controversial comment. Many issues arose that gave his opponents fodder. Trump’s statements about Megyn Kelly of Fox News, Senator John McCain, and an Indiana judge presiding over the Trump University legal case caused continual controversy.

After he secured the Republican presidential nomination, there were other controversies such as his statements about a Muslim father who lost a son in the Iraq War, a former Miss Universe and his infamous remarks about women captured on a 2005 tape recording which was conveniently released to deflect from the WikiLeaks disclosures about Hillary Clinton. The icing on the political cake occurred when 12 women came forward to allege Trump sexually assaulted them.

In every one of these incidents, Trump was viciously attacked by the usual collection of news reporters, Hollywood celebrities and liberal politicians. Unfortunately, they were joined by many Republican politicians who were eager to be critical of Trump and unwilling to support his candidacy, even after he secured the nomination.

Former Republican Presidents George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush refused to endorse Trump, as did 2012 Republican Party presidential nominee Mitt Romney. U.S. Senator and 2008 Republican Party presidential nominee John McCain was among several prominent Republicans who withdrew their support after the 2005 tape was released.

Joining these political leaders was a collection of conservative misfits in the media and political worlds who refused to endorse Trump. This group became known as the “Never Trumpers” and included radio talk show host Glenn Beck, commentators Erick Erickson, George Will and Bill Kristol and Senators Ben Sasse of Nebraska and Jeff Flake of Arizona. Many of these individuals bitterly opposed Trump, even though he won the nomination fairly and faced Hillary Clinton, a corrupt liberal, in the general election.

From this “Never Trump” universe, I selected my three Ringside Politics Turkeys of 2016. These were the worst of this motley crew because they were presidential candidates who betrayed their party and reneged on a promise to support the nominee. All 17 GOP presidential candidates signed a pledge to officially endorse the eventual party nominee.

Unfortunately, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham and Ohio Governor John Kasich placed their own political interests in front of their party and their country.

Not only did they make a horrific mistake, but they looked quite foolish in the process. Graham said that “If we nominate Trump, we will get destroyed.......and we will deserve it.” Not quite Lindsey, as Trump won 31 states and collected 306 electoral votes, the most won by a Republican presidential candidate since 1988. Jeb Bush who was embarrassed by Trump and famously labeled “low energy” acted like a petulant child and refused to endorse anyone, and indicated he would vote for a third-party candidate.

While Graham and Bush acted poorly, the most egregious political violation of the year was committed by Ohio Governor John Kasich. He not only refused to endorse Trump but later confessed to writing in the name of John McCain as his presidential choice.

Kasich declined to participate in the Republican National Convention which was held in his home state of Ohio. He did not welcome the delegates nor attend any of the events which culminated in Trump’s nomination.

He was under the delusion that he was the “most electable” Republican presidential candidate even though he only won one primary in his home state of Ohio. In contrast, Trump won 37 states and four times the number of delegates as his nearest competitor.

In a year of the Trump political revolution, where one candidate defeated the combined forces of the political, business, media and globalist establishment, these three Republican Turkeys did not join the historic party.

Sadly, Graham, Bush and Kasich put their selfish interests first and lost badly. Their only consolation is that they are the clear winners of the 2016 Ringside Politics Turkey of the Year Award.

______________________________________________________

To order a copy of Jeff Crouere’s new book, “America’s Last Chance,” 

visit www.JeffCrouere.com

Jeff Crouere is a native of New Orleans, LA and he is the host of a Louisiana based program, “Ringside Politics,” which airs at 7:30 p.m. Friday and 10:00 p.m. Sunday on WLAE-TV 32, a PBS station, and 7 till 11 a.m. weekdays on WGSO 990 AM in New Orleans and the Northshore. 

For more information, visit Jeff's web site at www.ringsidepolitics.com or email him at jeff@ringsidepolitics.com.
_________________________________________

We are compelled  to pay for this Free Speech Zone - Please become our Partner and click the DONATE link below or contact the editor-in-chief [at] truthserumeditor@gmail.com

What a Difference 8 Years Makes

• Truth Serum Today: Be a Partner in our Free Speech Zone - Click
• All You Wanted to Know About the Truth Serum Blog - Click

In November of 2008, the American conservative movement was rocked by the overwhelming victory of Barack Obama as the nation’s 44th President.

In that election, Obama was not bashful about his plans. He was the epitome of a liberal, calling for government action on healthcare, the environment, and the economy. Conservatives were reeling as the unsuccessful George W. Bush administration mercifully came to an end.

However, they were also upset that the 2008 GOP presidential nominee Senator John McCain ran such an ineffective campaign. Only the spirited efforts of the dynamic vice presidential nominee, Governor Sarah Palin, gave conservatives any hope about the future.

At that time, the Congress was controlled by Democrats and the Republican President, George W. Bush, was leaving office during an ongoing war in Iraq and Afghanistan and record deficits. In addition, there was a serious financial crisis that almost destroyed the country’s economy.

To fix the problem, the GOP administration advocated massive government bailouts to selected industries, such as automobile manufacturers, that was the antithesis of free market economics.

Not surprisingly, Obama won the election handily. Despite the doom and gloom, conservatives did not riot or destroy property and they certainly did not threaten the new President of the United States. Obama was given respect as our new President, even though conservatives totally disagreed with his very liberal agenda.

When the new President started pushing his very progressive policies such as Obamacare and the massive stimulus spending plan, conservatives decided to turn disappointment into political action.

Almost immediately after Obama’s inauguration as President, millions of conservatives around the country formed the grassroots organization known as the Tea Party. This political activity spread to groups organizing rallies across the country and an impressive political network was formed. It was the major reason that Americans gave control of Congress back to the GOP in 2010.

While the Tea Party suffered a setback in 2012 with the GOP nomination of moderate Mitt Romney, who lost the presidential race to Obama, there was enough of an organization remaining by 2014 to help the Republican Party take back control of the U.S. Senate.

After years of inaction from Congress on the common sense political agenda outlined by the Tea Party, grassroots conservatives eventually found another outlet, the presidential campaign of Donald Trump, the ultimate outsider.

In effect, the Tea Party of 2009 was the initial phase of the political movement that elected Donald Trump as President of the United States in 2016.

After Trump’s surprise victory on Tuesday, some liberals have been understandably shell shocked. Thus, there is now a vigorous debate within the Democratic Party on how to move forward. Unfortunately, other liberal activists are taking another route, engaging in riots and committing violence.

In at least a dozen cities, such as New York, Chicago and Los Angeles, there have been protests about the new President-elect. While most protesters have been peaceful, others have smashed store windows, lit dumpster fires and firecrackers.

Even worse, there have been numerous reports of Trump supporters being attacked on the streets and even in schools. At some of these organized protests, demonstrators have yelled obscenities at the new President, sprayed graffiti on buildings and even engaged in property destruction.

For example, in New Orleans, crazed protesters defaced monuments and buildings, destroyed windows and placed a burning tire on the front steps of the Confederate Museum.

Sadly, the police did nothing as these protesters sprayed “F*** Trump” and “Die Whites Die,” among other obscenities on the Robert E. Lee monument. The protesters even burned an effigy of Donald Trump and got into a fight with a Trump supporter.

These violent activities are an unacceptable response to the outcome of the presidential race. In 2008, when conservatives faced a similar beating at the polls, they did not resort to violence, they organized and formed a powerful political movement that eventually delivered the White House back to them.

After this election, too many liberals have acted like spoiled children, throwing a temper tantrum. For example, some misguided and brainless celebrities are vowing to leave the country, while others are claiming that Trump will not be “their President.”

To the Hollywood stars and other liberal fanatics so upset at Trump’s election victory, please leave the country. Enjoy the high taxes and socialized healthcare of Canada or the empty shelves at supermarkets in Venezuela.

However, unless you become a citizen of another country, Trump will still be your President, like it or not. He was elected by the people of this country and won an electoral vote landslide.

Liberals must come to their senses, deal with the political reality and stop this nonsense before more damage is done to our country’s political process.

______________________________________________________

To order a copy of Jeff Crouere’s new book, “America’s Last Chance,” 

visit www.JeffCrouere.com

Jeff Crouere is a native of New Orleans, LA and he is the host of a Louisiana based program, “Ringside Politics,” which airs at 7:30 p.m. Friday and 10:00 p.m. Sunday on WLAE-TV 32, a PBS station, and 7 till 11 a.m. weekdays on WGSO 990 AM in New Orleans and the Northshore. 

For more information, visit Jeff's web site at www.ringsidepolitics.com or email him at jeff@ringsidepolitics.com.
_________________________________________

We are compelled  to pay for this Free Speech Zone - Please become our Partner and click the DONATE link below or contact the editor-in-chief [at] truthserumeditor@gmail.com

Don't underestimate Trump on 6/18/2015

Donald Trump has announced he is running for President

Meet The Donald - Mr. Donald Trump

The billionaire real estate mogul announced his run after flirting with running for the Presidency twice before. This time he is serious.

Most pundits are dismissing Trump’s chances. Many Republican candidates are privately laughing at Trump.

They shouldn’t.

Trump brings a lot of money to the campaign but he brings something else that everyone had better pay attention to.

Trump is doing something none of the other Republican candidates are doing and they had all better pay attention. Trump is not a conservative. He agreed with Hillarycare and certainly will not make any serious effort to repeal Obamacare. He will probably raise taxes and will not be a friend to the Second Amendment.

So why do Republicans and conservatives need to worry about a Trump candidacy?

For years the GOP’s leaders and consultants have told their candidates to stay away from controversial issues. They claim to oppose Obamacare and make generic promises about being fiscally conservative, but that is it.

Trump is saying things people want to hear. Real Americans are frustrated with the Washington establishment acting to protect the interests of illegal aliens over real Americans. Trump says he will build a wall on the Mexican border and make Mexico pay for it. That is the kind of rhetoric that gets the attention of frustrated Americans.

Trump appeals to American pride. He talks about beating the Chinese, the Japanese and even the Mexicans. Trump talks about issues that Americans want to hear about.

Trump is going after the one voting demographic that could put the Republicans over the top yet the GOP mostly refuses to go after. Republicans are constantly told they have to go after minority votes. Yes the Republican Party should try to expand its support in minority communities but one group that can put the GOP back in the White House is the white vote. Richard Nixon used it to success and so did Ronald Reagan.

Donald Trump is going after that base.

And he is doing something none of the other Republicans are doing. He is taking them a message they want to hear.

And Americans want to hear that message. Americans want a President who will make America great again. Most Republicans say they will, Trump is putting some populist muscle behind it.

Trump has a message and he has money. His own money and he will get more money from his wealthy friends and there are a lot of real Americans who will be moved by his message.

Anyone who underestimates Trump in this race does so at their own peril. With both a message and money, Trump is going to have a huge impact on the 2016 race.

_____________________________

Become a Truth Serum Partner Now

Liberty movement and the human mind

From the files of Ken LaRive at the Lafayette Examiner

Read the Ken LaRive File at the Examiner

Freedom does not exist, it is an illusion. It is a lie. The whole concept of freedom is false, because the mentality of what we are as human beings can not handle it... It always morphs into a tyrannical fascist ideology. This is the Liberty movement, not the freedom movement. It is liberty from tyranny we are after.

Secondly, there is no such thing as a pure Democracy. This too is a lie. It has never existed on the planet. It has always morphed into mob rule, and so into the authoritarianism of tyranny's fascism, because that is the essence of the human mindset. We can deny it, but we can know this truth by what we have done in the past, as recorded in our history.

What we were given, that we have now lost, is a Republic based on law. This quickly disintegrates because of the mindset of what it means to be a human being, where fascism and tyranny displaces it. What we have is an Oligarchy. This is what the mind of men have wrought. Power and control over others is the true nature of men, and yet a few resist.

This sir, is the Liberty movement. Define who you are, and you will have a better chance of uniting, and winning. But know that you are, and always will be, three percent, and though that is plenty enough to cut the cords that bind us all, the rest will not participate. Because slavery, just as liberty, is the reality of the mind of men... a duality in constant odds, and the reason why Liberty, once lost, is so very hard to get back.

Remember also that the goal might only be accomplished by mutual destruction. Because it is the mindset of human beings, who have gained power and control, to rather see it burned to white ashes then to relinquish their ability.

Still, I'd rather die attempting to know who I am as a Libertarian. That is a good reason for being, a worthy goal for a life, a value greater than myself. Give me Liberty, or give me death.

______________________________________________

Become a Truth Serum Partner Now

Time for taxpayers to revolt

From the files of Jeff Crouere at Ringside Politics.com - WLAE-TV 32 in New Orleans, Louisiana

Click Here to Visit the Jeff Crouere Website

It was a horrible week in which millions of Americans paid their taxes to the ever increasing and intrusive federal government.

This year, the tax burden has grown with Tax Freedom Day appearing on April 24, meaning that Americans will spend approximately one third of the year working for government before they can provide for their families.

Taxes are certainly oppressive in this country. Compared to last year, tax revenue increased 4.3% to $1.478 trillion in the first 6½ months of the 2015 fiscal year. Even worse, the insatiable federal government continues to spend money with reckless abandon. Through April 1 of this year, the budget deficit was an astounding $439 billion, a significant increase from 2014.

Not only are taxes and deficits increasing, but the actual size of the federal tax code is exploding. When the income tax was created in 1913, the tax code was only 400 pages. It increased to 26,000 pages by 1984 and has tripled in size in the last 30 years. Since the implementation of Obamacare in 2010, the federal tax code has increased another 3,300 pages, resulting in more rules and regulations for Americans to decipher.

Today, the federal tax code is over 74,000 pages of bureaucratic nonsense, making it impossible for the average American to complete their own tax return. It is no surprise that 94% of Americans need professional assistance in finishing their tax return.

According to the National Taxpayers Union Foundation, Americans spend $32 billion to prepare ever more complicated tax forms and in the process waste 6.1 billion hours annually. This costs our economy $234 billion in lost productivity. Americans should be using their time and money on more fruitful pursuits, such as providing for the needs of their families.

In the shaky Obama economy, Americans need to be as industrious as possible. While the federal government is expanding and creating massive budget deficits, leading to a national debt exceeding $18.1 trillion, it is a much different situation for average Americans.

For the 119 million Americans who are working, most are seeing only minimal wage increases and, in March, the Labor Department reported that their average work week declined to 34.5 hours, below what many need to live comfortably. Thus, it is no surprise that there are 6.7 million Americans who have to work multiple jobs just to pay their household bills.

While the unemployment rate is supposedly at 5.5%, the real situation is reflected in the number of people who have left the workforce. There are over 93 million eligible Americans who are not employed, an all-time high, resulting in a labor force participation rate of 62.7%, the lowest in almost four decades.

These unemployed Americans are not paying income taxes, increasing the burden on those in the labor force, who are subjected to oppressive taxes to fund our constantly expanding government.

In this country, the tax man cometh in life and death as we currently impose a draconian 40% estate tax. Fortunately, House Republicans just passed a bill to eliminate this immoral tax, but when it moves to the Senate it faces an uncertain future.

Not surprisingly, Democrats claim that eliminating the estate tax will only help the “wealthy.” In reality, it will allow the survival of many small family businesses, and the continued employment of Americans who need those jobs.

Our unfair tax burden should be a primary issue in the upcoming presidential campaign. One candidate, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), has offered a particularly bold solution: close down the IRS and allow Americans to complete their taxes on a postcard.

This plan offers tax reduction and simplification, just what America needs after six years of President Barack Obama.

_____________________________________________

Jeff Crouere is a native of New Orleans, LA and he is the host of a Louisiana based program, “Ringside Politics,” which airs at 7:30 p.m. Friday and 10:00 p.m. Sunday on WLAE-TV 32, a PBS station, and 7 till 11 a.m. weekdays on WGSO 990 AM in New Orleans and the Northshore.

For more information, visit Jeff's web site at www.ringsidepolitics.com or email him at jeff@ringsidepolitics.com.

______________________________________________

Become a Truth Serum Partner Now

Defending New Jersey politicians

From the Warning Signs of Alan Caruba at Facts-not-Fantasy

Know the Warning Signs from Alan Caruba at Facts-not-Fantasy

I’d be surprised to learn that anyone in the Obama and Holder Department of Justice even knows how to spell “justice.”

On the same day it announced an indictment of New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez (D) for allegedly taking bribes and engaging in various forms of corruption, it also announced that it would not pursue a criminal contempt of Congress resolution against Lois Lerner, the member of the Internal Revenue Service at the center of the effort to deny conservative groups the right to be certified for non-profit tax status.

Without such status, the group’s ability to raise funds and pursue their issues and agenda was significantly impacted. If you were a liberal group, however, you sailed right through. That’s that way the Obama administration has functioned in all aspects of governance since it began in 2009.

In what is now becoming a standard way of avoiding an investigation, last June the IRS announced that it had “lost” two years’ worth of Lerner’s emails in a 2011 computer crash. An IRS inspector general, however, unearthed the backup tapes believed to contain them. Lerner would not speak to lawmakers, but she has reportedly cooperated with the FBI.

In an April 1 Politico.com article, “Don’t Blame Menendez, Blame New Jersey” Jeff Smith and Brian Murphy would have you believe that New Jersey is a steaming heap of political corruption that has no equal. When was the last time a New Jersey senator was found guilty of bribery? 1981. Thirty-four years ago. An entire generation has been born and grown up in the Garden State since then.

I am born, bred, and live in New Jersey. Illinois has ex-Governors in jail and no New Jersey Governor ever shared that distinction.

Our current one, Chris Christie, came to statewide attention when, as the U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, he put a number of our politicians in jail for corruption in addition to a slew of convictions for sexual slavery, arms trafficking, and racketeering by gangs, along with other federal crimes.

He was a very good lawyer and had also been politically ambitious, rising through the ranks, campaigning for Bush 41 and 43, the latter who appointed him to the State Attorney post. In a very Democratic state, he would handily defeat Joe Corzine in 2009 to become Governor because Corzine was as incompetent then as Obama is today.

The rap on New Jersey is that politicians and those who donate a chunk of money to support their election are somehow different or special in some way. I doubt there is a political reporter or blogger in any other state that could not regale you with a history of their crooked politicians and appointees that would not equal or exceed ours.

Meet Senator Robert Menendez (D)

Now, let’s get to the heart of the charges against Sen. Menendez. More to the point, when the charges were announced. In early March he gave a speech to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, Menendez made no secret of his displeasure that the Obama administration was negotiating with Iran.

“When it comes to defending the U.S.-Israel relationship,” he told the group, “I am not intimidated by anyone—not Israel’s political enemies and not by my political friends when I feel they’re wrong.” He said that as long has he had an ounce of fight in him, “Iran will never have a pathway to a (nuclear) weapon.”

And Menendez had also made it clear that he opposed the normalizing of a diplomatic relationship with Cuba. “The deal achieved nothing for Americans.”

When the DOJ indictment was announced, the state’s largest daily newspaper virtually pronounced him guilty. “The litany of travel arranged by U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez’s good friend, Salomon Melgen, reads like the operation of a small airline.” It salivated over the 68-page indictment and the favors alleged between him and “his wealthy benefactor” that included “more than $1 million to various political campaigns connected to the senator.” No question about it, Melgen was Menendez’s friend and supporter. That is, however, not against the law.

I doubt there is a member of the U.S. Senate that does not have such wealthy supporters, nor any that have not accepted an invitation to vacation as their guest. Did Menendez reply by using the influence of his office to facilitate visas or the approval of deals by which Melgen would benefit? In one cited case that influence did not have any effect on the outcome, but simply stated this is part of the job. It is the quid pro quo of politics and always has been.

The Department of Justice indictment came at the same time the Obama administration had squandered 18 months in useless, senseless negotiations with Iran to arrive at an agreement that would ultimately permit Iran to produce nuclear bombs. No other nation wants that. Iran had never ceased to tell the world it intended to “wipe Israel off the map”, nor cease to call America the “Great Satan.”

The level of hubris from the President to the Secretary of State to those engaged in the negotiations is beyond measurement. It blinds them to the obvious.

The White House clearly could not permit a prominent Democratic senator to tell the Israelis and the world what a bunch of jackasses they were. They feared losing control of the rest of the Democratic senators and thus Menendez is being subjected to a long, costly indictment as a lesson to the others.

The indictment suggests a pattern of corruption based solely on the relationship between Menendez and Melgem, both longtime friends. If Menendez broke the law the DOJ should have been able to come up with comparable charges involving others for whom he intervened. If I was a gambling man, I would bet that Sen. Menendez beats the charges.

______________________________________________

Become a Truth Serum Partner Now

A Libertarian consideration of property rights

From the Files of Ken LaRive at the Lafayette Examiner

And the Louisiana Game Warden . . . .

Meet Mr. Ken LaRive with the Lafayette Examiner

Good Morning. It is a rainy day here in Louisiana, with a cool front moving in. A light coat might be required for old bones like mine, but a good day to write an essay.

Just spent a wonderful Easter weekend with family on the rolling hill outskirts of St. Francisville where we have a family camp. I played with my new grand daughter and a clutch of spirited children who like to fish, ride in my canoe, pound the trails in SUVs, swim in the streams, and the woods echoed with their laughter.

My son in law is the owner of this property, and a good and responsible caretaker. He knows the law, the balance of nature, and has been raised and taught by a family of outdoors-men. This weekend I had the good fortune of doing two turkey hunts, with a total of about two hours each in a ground-blind of his own design.

The weather was cool and dry the first day, and a light rain the second, and as we huddled together looking for a flash of movement on distant plots of mint-green winter grass and turnips, we bonded with lighthearted whispers. No, we didn't shoot anything, though we did practice ...but we came away with something far more valuable to me, bonding and great memories.

Over the years I have sat around fires with seasoned hunters, from Giles Island, Ola, to Sabine, and I have listened to fantastic stories of adventure... riveted by men who told of danger and near misses... men who have what I consider an innate and hardwired affinity for hunting, and most all had both love and an appreciative respect for the bounty of the land.

Some were seasoned by fathers at an early age, and others were city slickers who grew to love the sport, and that was their commonality, along with an overwhelmingly Libertarian point of view. Most would not identify with that label, of course, as it is a newly revived concept in a world of growing government power and control. But all of them viewed their world with a strict conservative narrative of personal responsibility, duty, and obligation, and I am proud to count myself as one of them, being of Acadian-French-Cajun blood.

At the end of the day, as our children are taking baths and forced to bed by our wives, we men sit around tables and talk of business, complex political nightmares, and the vast and overwhelming changes affecting us all.

Sometimes we all laugh together, and other times it grows to be quite serious, like government spying, our shredded constitution and bill of rights, the destruction of civil liberties, war for corporate profit, and much more, and after a couple of beers, (all we are allowed when there are children around), it stimulates a truthful and passionate banter. And without fail, one topic is always touched upon, the trespass of government agents without due process on private land.

“One could be watching us from the trees.” a young man would say, “Photographing us, listening to our words with devices... Who knows, they could be looking at us now from space!”

“The dogs would be barking.” another would say with a laugh, “But I get your drift. My camera's have caught them several times crossing the stream that is my boundary line, or jumping my fence from the road looking for law-breakers, and I don't like that one damned bit. Hey, you have some suspicion, get a court order and come to my front door, I don't like all of this sneaking around crap.”

“Yea, me too. I have a friend who got caught shooting a deer on his property walking just after dark from his stand. It is all up in the air with lawyers and everything. A man with a badge lurking in the shadows someplace, who heard the shot? What is this crap?” he said looking from right to left. It was too low for a child to hear, but it elicited a sharp look from his wife.

Children are protected from many things in our Cajun culture, including cuss-words, and having a Christian moral compass is taught by example. These strong family values is what originally drew my wife and I from New Orleans, vying to be the murder capital of the world, to my ancestral home here in Acadiana's Lafayette. It was the best choice we could have made, the very best place to raise our family.

But there are pros and cons to this privacy issue...

...and all who have a few years under their belts will agree that at times in our history, without government intervention, whole species may have been lost. All know well the near extinction of the Louisiana Alligator and hundreds more, the complete eradication of the Carolina Parakeet and the Passenger Pigeon are terrible examples of mismanagement or no management at all.

These two species filled our skies along with the black bird just a hundred years ago, and since that time there were many near misses... Endangered to the brink of extinction. My father told me he remembered the poisoning of black birds as they raided rice farmers in black clouds, and how they were plowed under for years as fertilizer... not to mention the many species not indigenous to the area, brought in on purpose and some by accident, that have played havoc with the environment.

All of these species were killed by hunters, and farmers too, who thought themselves responsible, but did not have a good idea of the individual breeding patterns, or the habits they had outside of their small microcosm. The large clouds of migratory birds, for instance, had complicated and misunderstood mating habits and rituals that could only be displayed in large flocks, and alligators were easy picking for talented Cajun hunters who could see their eyes shining at night with a new kind of lantern called a spot light.

The Red wolf is still trying to make a comeback in the Smoky Mountains, and they were eradicated from Louisiana because of fear, even without one confirmed attack on record. They are not finding much success in reintroduction because they have a problem assimilating with the Coyote who took up their niche, and also succumb to disease they have never developed an immunity for... stifling efforts to reintroduce them. The gray wolf, however, had made an amazing comeback into the Rocky Mountains.

So not all government intervention has a negative side, nor is it easily understood by people who want both privacy and land rights... Libertarians, like myself. Game wardens today have far greater powers to search for violations than most all other law enforcement, and long before the Patriot Act too. Studying this, it seems their jobs of protecting the environment would be virtually impossible without it.

Here in Louisiana, most all hunting and fishing are done on private property, and they have to be able to have access to the game. I've met several of these men and respected both them and the job they did, and it is, without a doubt, so very needed... They are compelled to be the protector of all wildlife, and demand us all to do the same... and all of them, to the last man I have met, took their jobs very seriously, and would not accept even a coke from us... There would be no leniency if we broke the law, even if they knew us well, so strong is their conviction.

Research indicates that most all hunting and fishing violations are misdemeanors. If a game warden played by the same rule-of-law as other law enforcement officials they would need to present probable cause that a felony was taking place and secure a warrant from a local judge before entering someone's land. They have the power to search your home and car too, and without it I'll bet that every deer-lease would be a year-long activity. Without proper management, deer, and all game for that matter, would have quickly been eradicated.

I've heard campfire statements that you would be far worse off if you shot a person than if you killed an endangered animal, but of course that just isn't true. It will change your life however, with large fines imposed for each offense, possible confiscation of your vehicle and guns, with the real possibility of actual jail time.

One game warden told me this, and he affirmed to me he was an Oath Keeper... written from memory, of course...

“You might want to compare the Sabine with the Rio Grande, where the two sides do not share enforcement duties. Mexican game regulations are tougher than the Texas ones, and the wardens tend to be more capricious. Friends of mine who fish lake Amistad have said that they stay well to the U.S. side of the buoys in the middle of the Lake to avoid being taken in by the Mexican game wardens.

No, Constitutional guarantees are not erased because law enforcement is wearing a game warden badge.”

Another told me this, as he was driving on a sandy flat along the Mississippi River...

“There may be some misunderstanding here of what the rules are.

Generally, you cannot vicariously trample on another person's Constitutional rights.

That is, if you're caught by the game warden jacklighting deer, and you happen to be on private property, that's no problem for the warden, if it's YOUR private property. If you were on Mrs. Jones' land, you cannot raise her rights in your defense.

If you were on your land, it may not be a problem, in some cases, though there are stead-fast rules all must abide by, like bating turkey, and shooting and fishing over the legal limit, and of course all endangered animals are protected.... As long as the warden was legally entitled to be where he was - if your land is not posted "No Trespassing," or if you have an easement, for example - then you have no defense.

If you have a hunting or fishing license, you generally consent to an administrative search designed to ensure you are acting within the bounds of the license.”

One other thing. No matter where you live in America. No matter where you fish, hunt, hike, SUV, or boat, you will always come across those who have no respect for nature. They will throw their trash on the side of a trail, poison a delicate stream with soap, dump oil on a pristine environment, and they should be stopped.

I have no qualms about turning them in, though I have yet to do it.... I don't feel sorry for them at all. Let them get a fine, be barred from that camping site, and the land will survive. Sure, sometimes these rules seem excessive, but it isn't the men enforcing these rules that are to blame, but the irresponsible citizen who have blindsided the rest of us, and that is one hell of a take for a Libertarian living in a shrinking world.

I love America, and the amazing natural diversity and beauty that is a gift from God, and it is our responsibility, to the very last person, to protect it.

God bless America, we are all game wardens, even us Libertarians.

______________________________________________

Become a Truth Serum Partner Now

Media gets to set the presidential election bar

From the art studios of A.F. (Tony) Branco at Comically Incorrect.com

Get a Daily Dose of Humor or Reality from A.F. (Tony) Branco

• Editorial cartoonist
• Net Right Daily
• Legal Insurrection
• Liberty Alliance
• ConservativeDailyNews.com

______________________________________________

Become a Truth Serum Partner Now

Just how quick is the job market declining?

From the art studios of A.F. (Tony) Branco at Comically Incorrect.com

Get Your Daily Dose of Humor and Reality fro A.F. (Tony) Branco

• Editorial cartoonist
• Net Right Daily
• Legal Insurrection
• Liberty Alliance
• ConservativeDailyNews.com

______________________________________________

Become a Truth Serum Partner Now

Ted Cruz flips the flip-flop

From the art studios of A.F. (Tony) Branco at Comically Incorrect.com

Get a Daily Dose of Humor or Reality from A.F. (Tony) Branco

• Editorial cartoonist
• Net Right Daily
• Legal Insurrection
• Liberty Alliance
• ConservativeDailyNews.com

______________________________________________

Become a Truth Serum Partner Now

Terrifying the Republican establishment

From the Warning Signs of Alan Caruba at Facts-not-Fantasy

Ted Cruz Announces His Presidential Candidacy

Would you vote for a man who openly says he would repeal ObamaCare?

Would you vote for a man who openly says he favors a fair tax and wants to abolish the Internal Revenue Service?

Would you vote for a man who opposes Obama’s efforts to offer illegal aliens amnesty and promises to secure the borders?

Would you vote for a man who decries a federal government “that wages an assault on our religious liberty”?

Would you vote for a man who wants a federal government that “works to defend the sanctity of human life” and would “uphold the sacrament of marriage”?

Would you vote for a man who defends our Second Amendment rights and condemns the effort ban ammunition?

Would you vote for a man who condemns a federal government that seeks to dictate school curricula and wants to repeal “every word of Common Core”?

Would you vote for a man who would stand “unapologetically with the nation of Israel”?

Would you vote for a man who has pledged that he would do everything he could to ensure that Iran does not acquire a nuclear weapon?

Would you vote for a man who openly says he would do everything he could to defeat radical Islamic terrorism?

I said I would on May 6, 2013 when he was beginning to get attention. Columnist George Will said he was “as good as it gets” when it comes to being a true conservative in Congress.

I am of course speaking of Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) who has announced his candidacy to be the presidential candidate of the Republican Party.

I suspect that his announcement probably terrifies the Republican “Establishment” who have managed to serve up some good men, but poor candidates, to be President. When Republican voters stayed home, we got Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012.

Now they want to get the Party faithful to vote for Jeb Bush, but from my vantage point, the real base is ready to vote for anybody else, Sen. Cruz, Wisconsin Gov. Walker, and Sen. Rubio come to mind.

First of all, there is no Tea Party in the sense of a political party with its own candidates. What there is are Republicans who believe in the U.S. Constitution, small government, fiscal prudence, strong national security, and all those other values outlined in Ted Cruz’s speech at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia.

As Cruz said in an email about his announcement “Washington, D.C. has become completely disconnected from the values of real Americans. That’s why we are now more than $18 trillion in debt, why wages have stagnated, and why our foreign policy is an absolute mess.” That pretty much sums up what Obama has delivered.

Does it surprise anyone that Cruz’s candidacy was instantly attacked, not just by Democrats, but by a number of leading Republicans? Rep. Peter King, appearing on CNN’s “Situation Room” with host Wolf Blitzer, said, he’d “jump off that bridge” when he got to it if Cruz becomes the GOP candidate. He also accused Cruz and Rand Paul of being “counterfeit conservatives.” Nonsense!

The March 24 Wall Street Journal had a lengthy editorial devoted to “The Cruz Candidacy” noting that on most issues with the exception of immigration they found themselves in agreement with him and offered an upbeat view that “The good news for GOP voters is that their field of candidates in 2016 is going to be deep, offering many varieties of conservative leadership” but ending with reservations about “his polarizing style” which was another way of saying he is not a wishy-washy centrist.

We will hear more such accusations and criticisms and, as often as not, they will come from the GOP Establishment.

Facts-not-Fantasy

The GOP Establishment regards real conservatives as unable to secure election, preferring RINOs, Republicans in Name Only, and candidates who move as close to the center politically as possible. It seems to have escaped their notice that the Republicans elected in the last two midterm elections were sent to Washington, D.C. by Tea Party and other serious conservative voters.

It has been a long time since a real conservative Republican, Ronald Reagan, was elected President, but it can happen again as serious voters, particularly those who are independents, join with those who find Sen. Cruz a refreshing voice.

Will he get the nomination? We are a very long way from the 2016 election, but at least we know it won’t be a boring one!

______________________________________________

Become a Truth Serum Partner Now

Presidential perception of the little guy

From the art studios of A.F. (Tony) Branco at Comically Incorrect.com

Get a Daily Dose of Humor or Reality from A.F. (Tony) Branco

• Editorial cartoonist
• Net Right Daily
• Legal Insurrection
• Liberty Alliance
• ConservativeDailyNews.com

______________________________________________

Become a Truth Serum Partner Now

Let the budget battles begin

From the Warning Signs of Alan Caruba at Facts-not-Fantasy

Know the Warning Signs from Alan Caruba

The announcement of a new fiscal budget for the U.S. government always sets the stage for struggles between the spenders and those trying to put some limits on the spending.

The spenders usually win because politicians—particularly progressive ones—love to tap the national treasury in order to reward their supporters.

As the Speaker of the House John Boehner said on the occasion of the March 17 announcement, “For 53 of the last 60 years, the federal government has spent more than it has taken in. It is unacceptable.” Not so unacceptable that one Congress after another has not seen fit to ignore common sense and fiscal prudence.

The sheer enormity of the budget tends to overwhelm and I suspect that most voters pay little attention to it and the issues it represents except to want assurances that their benefit check arrives. Rarely mentioned or largely unknown is the size of the nation’s unfunded liabilities, long term obligations in Medicare and Social Security. In 2014 they reached nearly $49 trillion with a “T”.

Our annual Gross Domestic Product, (GDP) what the U.S. takes in for goods and services is about $14 trillion. Our current national debt is $18 trillion and growing. Regarding the unfunded liabilities, Romina Boccia of The Heritage Foundation noted last year that they were “nearly three times the size of the total national debt or more than $150,000 for every person in the U.S.” He predicted that “even the most vulnerable Medicare and Social Security beneficiaries would see their benefits drastically cut after 2030.”

Here’s another way of looking at our debt. When interest rates return to normal WE are going to be paying several hundred billion in interest on our current $18 trillion debt. In short, we have to desperately start cutting spending NOW to reduce that debt. Or else!

The 2016 budget announced by House Budget Chairman Tom Price represents Republican values. As the Wall Street Journal noted, it “would cut spending by $5.5 trillion relative to the status quo over the next decade, reducing federal spending to 18.2% of the economy by 2024.

The share today is 20.3% and is headed toward 22.3% in a decade on present trend.” It’s useful to keep in mind that every dollar the government collects and spends is one less dollar that the private sector can spend on starting and expanding businesses large and small.

All that money represents opportunities for waste that are mind-boggling. A recent article in CNS News reported that “Medicare and Medicaid made a combined $77.4 billion in improper payments in fiscal 2014, a 20.4 percent increase from fiscal 2013, according to data published by the Government Accountability Office and the federal paymentaccuracy.gov website.”

Twelve government programs that wasted money made the Government Accountability Office list including the school lunch and public housing/rental assistance programs.

The good news about the new fiscal budget is that it openly calls for repealing ObamaCare. It also outlines deregulating Medicaid to give governors more flexibility. It is a terrific fiscal burden. The budget took note of the fact that there are too many duplicative government programs such as 92 antipoverty programs.

The Congressional Budget Office estimates that consolidating such programs would increase real GDP per capita by 1.5% in 2015. Eliminating a whole bunch of them would save even more.

Jane M. Orient, M.D., the Executive Director of American Physicians and Surgeons, and a policy advisor to The Heartland Institute, warned that “there seem to be some good first steps, such as block-granting Medicaid to the states. But even Republicans aren’t admitting that their budget also involves fighting over money that we don’t have, that the Federal Reserve will create out of faith and credit.”

“Also absent,” said Dr. Orient, “is recognition of the crushing burden of regulation, especially EPA rules to destroy a huge portion of our electrical generating capacity, with heavy subsidization of costly, unreliable, environmentally destructive wind and solar projects that can’t possibly replace coal, nuclear, or natural gas. Or recognition of the destructive impact of the Department of Education. How about devolving environmental protection and education back to the states, too, along with Medicaid?”

Facts-not-Fantasy

“This new House budget,” said Peter Ferrara, a Heartland Senior Fellow for Entitlement and Budget Policy, “shows the passing of the Age of Obama and the broad gulf of difference between today’s conservative Republicans and the modern, ultra-Left, extremist, neo-socialist Democrats.

Reagan-life, the plan would balance the budget without tax increases, while modernizing our increasingly dangerously lagging military.”

The Wall Street Journal editorial pointed out that, “As important, failing to pass a budget would also deprive Republicans of the procedural tool known as reconciliation. This allows the GOP to pass a final budget with a simple majority in the House and Senate, and thus it will be crucial to putting larger reforms of ObamaCare or taxes on Mr. Obama’s desk. A vote against the budget is in that sense a vote for the ObamaCare status quo.”

In sum, the proposed budget represents a serious effort to enact reforms that are long overdue. These and other measures are needed to encourage economic growth, the heart's blood of the nation.

_____________________________

Become a Truth Serum Partner Now

Dear Barbara Bush . . .

From the Files of Jeff Crouere at Ringside Politics.com in New Orleans, Louisiana

Visit the Website of Jeff Crouere at Ringside Politics.com

Thank you so much for the thoughtful “friend” fundraising letter that you sent me and millions of other Americans this week. You were so kind to solicit donations on behalf of your son Jeb’s presidential campaign. Of course, you let us know that you “changed your mind” because on April 25, 2013 you told Matt Lauer of the “Today” show that “there are other people out there that are very qualified and we’ve had enough Bushes.”

I realize that it is a woman’s prerogative to change her mind. I also am not surprised that you now have a different view regarding Jeb’s aspirations and want to support him since he is surely running for President. Nonetheless, I must respectfully decline your request and inform you that I will be encouraging everyone I know to emphatically tell you “no” as well.

I do not hate the Bush family for I know all of you are patriotic Americans. However, I must note that the Bush family has done tremendous harm to this nation. Your husband was elected President because of Ronald Reagan, yet squandered his legacy. George H. W. Bush broke his promise to the American people and raised taxes, thus giving the nation the plague of Bill and Hillary Clinton.

Your son was even worse. George W. inherited a large surplus, but created expensive entitlements, a massive new government department and pursued out of control domestic spending and unfunded foreign wars. He turned the surplus into a $468 billion deficit for his successor and left the country an additional $5 trillion in debt.

Your son Jeb is a nice guy, but he is as uncharismatic as your husband and other son, George W. More importantly, he is wrong on too many important issues. He is pro-amnesty, will not rule out higher taxes, supports Common Core and believes the moderate Mitt Romney ran a presidential campaign that was too far to the right.

On foreign policy, it was revealed this week that one of Jeb’s advisers will be former Secretary of State James Baker, a creature of the Beltway who is infamous for his anti-Israeli views. Baker is a well known GOP insider and moderate who supports establishment candidates and loathes Tea Party activists. For icing on the proverbial cake, it was just reported that Jeb is friends with a fugitive who is evading justice in Spain. Clearly, he has the wrong type of friends.

Speaking of friends, in your letter, Mrs. Bush you wrote, “We need and appreciate your help, “friend.” Thank you for your support and I look forward to counting you among our ranks.” You may call me “friend” but just don’t count on my support. As a “friend,” let me remind you of your statement to Matt Lauer less than two years ago, “there are a lot of great families and it’s not just four families…..he’ll (Jeb) get all our enemies, half our friends.”

Well, I am in the group of “friends” who are not with Jeb. Here is the most important reason why, he will lose. If Jeb runs, the Republican ticket will surely lose and our country will be subjected to four years of Hillary Clinton or whatever crazed liberal is nominated by the Democratic Party.

Our country cannot afford four more years of a liberal in the White House. We need a conservative, which is the only type of Republican nominee who can win. Sadly, your son, like the entire Bush family, is not a conservative.

Mrs. Bush, while you may have changed your mind about Jeb running, I have not. What you said less than two years ago is still true today; our country has had “enough Bushes.”

Sincerely, Jeff Crouere

______________________________________________

Jeff Crouere is a native of New Orleans, LA and he is the host of a Louisiana based program, “Ringside Politics,” which airs at 7:30 p.m. Friday and 10:00 p.m. Sunday on WLAE-TV 32, a PBS station, and 7 till 11 a.m. weekdays on WGSO 990 AM in New Orleans and the Northshore.

For more information, visit Jeff's web site at www.ringsidepolitics.com or email him at jeff@ringsidepolitics.com.

______________________________________________

Become a Truth Serum Partner Now

Barack Obama: The cherry tree president

From the Washington State art studios of Dan Youra at Utoons.com

Get a Daily Dose of Humor from the Youra Studios at Utoons.com

Dan Youra is one of the outstanding conservative cartoonists in the trade today who follows in the footsteps of the great political cartoon masters, whose quotes inspire a new generation of followers.

"Outside of basic intelligence, there is nothing more important to a good political cartoonist than ill will." ~ Jules Feiffer, Pulitzer Prize winning cartoonist.

"Too many of today's artists regard editorial cartooning as a trade instead of a profession. They try not to be too offensive. The hell with that. We need more stirrer-uppers." ~ Bill Mauldin.

Youra was one of the first recipients of a Fulbright Scholarship and worked in Latin America. He served as an editor of Current Thought on Peace and War at the United Nations in New York.

"As long as there are politicians who continue to try and fool the voters, there is no chance of ever running out of material to work with because they create it themselves and about themselves," says Dan Youra.

Dan is the small business owner and operator of the Youra Studios located in the State of Washington.

Visit the Youra Studios at Utoons.com

_____________________________

Become a Truth Serum Partner Now

Lunch is finger lickin' good

Lunch is Finger Lickin’ Good at the National Weather Service from the Michael Shannon files

Read the Shannon Column

Does your boss supply you with knives, forks, spoons, plates, cups and napkins when you eat lunch?

Fast food employees may feel free to stop reading now.

The National Weather Service employees serving on the front lines at Fort Climate are angry because Uncle Sam stopped.

Who has time to remember the cutlery when you're fighting "Climate Change?"

Naturally the union filed a grievance, a process where taxpayers again foot the bill, but we are off the hook for place settings.

For complete details, read the Michael Shannon Newsmax column.

______________________________________________

Become a Truth Serum Partner Now