"Save a Patriot"

This is a fascinating little group. Or fellowship. Or revolutionary cell. I'm not sure how to classify it/them, other than uber-libertarian, opposed to paying income taxes (and apparently avoiding it legally), and seemingly the target of some serious federal heat (from the IRS, FBI, etc.)

The Save-a-Patriot Fellowship mission, as stated on their website:

The SAP Fellowship ("SAPF") is a national organization of concerned Americans. We have joined together to resist illegal actions of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and other government agencies by preventing their misapplication of law.

We DO NOT advocate or condone unlawful resistance, protest, or other like actions. The Fellowship strongly believes that everyone must file whatever returns the law requires them to file, and pay any tax due for any liability as shown thereon in a timely and conscientious fashion. We do not condone the willful non-filing of required returns nor evasion of such taxes.

"Hark Upon the Gale"

The "Alma Mater of a Nation" was in the news today, although probably not the publicity Pres. Nichol wanted. It would appear that the new blogger hired by the washingtonpost.com to provide a conservative viewpoint on issues of the day is a plagiarizer extraordinaire--dating all the way back to his days as a reporter for the venerable Flat Hat. He made it three days on the job before being chased out of town. I can't say that I'm crying in my beer for the guy, but I have to feel a little sorry for him. After all, he's a W&M alum--he's been through enough already.

In Texas??

I thought this only happened in pinko commie terrorist-loving liberal lands!

The War According to Rumsfeld

Our esteemed SecDef, Donald H. Rumsfeld, wrote a guest column in the Washington Post today entitled, "What We've Gained in Three Years in Iraq." Here's the link if you'd like to take a read.

Personally, I found the article to be extremely arrogant and condescending. His tone is chiding and patronizing as he reminds us that "history is not made up of daily headlines, blogs on Web sites or the latest sensational attack. History is a bigger picture, and it takes some time and perspective to measure accurately."

In the next five paragraphs, Rumsfeld goes on to list all of the good things that have happened in the past three years in Iraq. But what, you say, about the continuing violence, attacks against Iraqi civilians and coalition troops, and the general chaos in which the country is embroiled? Don't worry, he devotes two whole sentences to that issue: "To be sure, violence of various stripes continues to slow Iraq's progress. But the coalition is doing everything possible to see this effort succeed and is making adjustments as appropriate." Wow! It's as if he's saying, 'don't you worry your pretty little head. Let the smart people worry about this stuff. You just go back to your Sudoku puzzle.'

Am I crazy or do you guys get the same impression?

Meet A Bush Appellate Court Nominee

Here's one of the leading lights that President Bush nominated to a federal appellate court (U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit [based in Richmond, Va], to be precise) and the "obstructionist" Democrats objected to (and happy stuck to their guns on).

Turns out, he's not only intolerant (see end of article re: campaign work with old boss Jesse Helms), but he's a crook. And not in the typical Republican campaign finance, lobbyist purchasing Congressmen sense, but in the ripping off the local Target sense.

Thank God he's born again and has accepted Jesus into his life!

Hmmm, really?

A quote from the head of the offical government-run "Chinese Catholic Church" (one that does not recognize the primacy of Rome):

"China's socialist system comes from God. We should all protect it and obey it. This is what the Bible tells us to do," he said.

Wow, the Bible CAN be cited for absolutely ANY bullsh*t political idea an idiot can come up with. James Dobson would be so proud. The Bible tells the faithful to protect and obey an atheism-based political system? Wow, in the word's of my favorite mock-Irish, Guiness-drinking, puppet/cartoon inventors: "Brilliant!"

Our Mayor (er...Councilmember)!

Once again, the District's favorite son, Marion Barry, is being sentenced for a crime. This time it is merely failure to pay taxes (3 years probation...what? Its Marion Barry for christsakes...). However, just for good measure and to show everyone he isn't going soft, he failed a court-ordered drug test as well (this was a few months back).

My favorite pieces from the article:

"He said he did not pay taxes from 1999 to 2004 because he was broke and is 'the kind of person who spends a lot of time worrying about other people and not taking care of myself financially.'"

- if you had no money, presumably from no income, how did you rack up $246,000 in taxes over 5 years?

"He described himself as a Christian who believes in forgiveness, and he reminded the court of the verses in the Book of Matthew, chapter 18, when Peter asks how many times a person should be forgiven, and Jesus answers '70 times seven.'"

- According to my math, that leaves Barry with approximately 3 more times to be forgiven.

So what does all this mean for the District? That Marion Barry is GUARANTEED to win another term as Mayor, of course!!

Proud to be a Democrat

A first grade teacher in the Midwest is explaining to her class that she is a Republican and how nice it is that a new Republican president has taken office. She asks her students to raise their hands if they, too, are Republicans and support George Bush. Everyone in class raises their hands except one little girl. "Mary," says the teacher with surprise, "why didn't you raise your hand?" Because I'm not a Republican," says Mary. "Well, what are you?" asks the teacher. "I'm a Democrat and proud of it," replies the little girl. The teacher cannot believe her ears. "My goodness, Mary, why are you a Democrat?" she asks. "Well, my momma and papa are Democrats, so I'm a Democrat, too." "Well," says the teacher in an annoyed tone, "that's no reason for you to be a Democrat. You don't always have to be like your parents. What if your momma was a criminal and your papa was a criminal, too, what would you be then?" Mary smiled. "Then we'd be Republicans."

Schmolitical Compass

Thanks to Josh and Rob (and Mike, belatedly), we have a way of plotting our schmolitical leanings. Interesting results, so far. If you're interested in getting yourself on the chart, take the test here and email me your results.