Zach Foster’s 2012 New Years Message

It’s already 2012 as I write this in the midwest, and though I can currently reveal very little, I can say with certainty that it’s an honor to be surrounded by such quality men as I am with at this moment.

I want to begin by thanking every one of you for being readers of the Political Spectrum blog, whether you were with us since December of 2010 or discovered and followed us recently.  Without your readership, your feedback, and your constant recommendations—both for content on this blog and recommending us to friends and family—this project would be meaningless.  Yet you have stuck with us and some of you have even contributed, and the result is a popular site that features news and articles and tackled events from multiple sides of the spectrum.

Let’s look back on our staggering growth in 2011 and the goals we have all reached together…

My Facebook account was set to attain at least 1,000 politically informed friends.  We closed off 2011 with over 1,800 friends.  I can also be found on Google Plus. We also looked to have 20,000 total hits by the end of the year.  We reached over 23,000, with our average in recent months stabilizing at 3,000+ hits per month.

The RightCenterLeft Twitter account, rich with content from a variety of news sources, was set to reach 5,000 followers.  It has over 6,000!  Furthermore, I decided to start a NEW Twitter account and a Facebook fan page exclusively for Political Spectrum Publishing (we’ll get to PSP later).  Barely three months old, this twitter page, @PublishPolitics, has slowly but steadily grown to have nearly 400 followers.

More people are following us on the Tumblr account, and the Political Spectrum blog’s RSS feed gets more subscribers every week.

We wanted to start a YouTube channel for videos and to start audio podcasts, and we have both on the YouTube channel!

Last but not least, I had a dream for the Political Spectrum to be more than a blog—to also be a sophisticated network.  This dream is coming true and then some!  In the month of December I had the privilege of launching a new publishing house: Political Spectrum Publishing.  We have a website, http://www.politicalspectrumpublishing.com/, and our starting project was a grass roots writing contest in support of Ron Paul.  The result is a book called VOICES OF R3VOLUTION and will be released very soon! (Many thanks to Tom Woods, Jeffrey Tucker, and Rand Paul for helping make it possible.)  More books will follow, including a few written by Yours Truly.

Furthermore, the Political Spectrum is now one of six blogs maintained by PSP.  Joining the ranks are:

• Only the Money! – Reporting on economics, money, and what the government is doing with it.
• California Politics – Political happenings and the triumphs and tragedies of the Golden State.
• Ron Paul Revolution – Reporting more detailed news on the Ron Paul campaign that would appeal specifically to Paul supporters, while the more general/popular headlines go to the Political Spectrum.
• The Anti-Marxists Internet Archive Official Blog – News and articles expoaing the inefficiencies and destructiveness of the Marxian system.  This endeavor is meant to drive traffic to the Anti-Marxists Internet Archive, a not-for-profit e-library.
• The Mises Blog – A blog kindly hosted by the Ludwig von Mises Institute’s Community that features economics and a few political articles I’ve written.

Clearly we have grown a lot over 2011 and we are going strong!  This is all thanks to you all, the raeders, contributors, and fans that make this endeavor worthwhile.

Thank you, and have a happy new year.

Zach Foster

Editor-in-Chief

VIDEO: Ron Paul COMPASSION Ad Featured on NBC Nightly News

http://RevolutionPAC.com/compassion | The latest ad produced by the Revolution Super PAC entitled, “The Compassion of Dr. Ron Paul,” featured on NBC Nightly News 12/31/11.

Source: Revolution PAC.  Video was included in original press release.

Closing the Book on 2011

Dear friend of liberty,

As we close the book on 2011, my campaign is surging, with the Iowa Caucus just days away.

The crowds at events swelled with grassroots Americans thirsting for a return to Constitutional government.

My poll numbers in Iowa have mushroomed to where I am running neck and neck with Mitt Romney, the establishment's handpicked frontrunner.

Now, to keep the momentum rolling into 2012, when the first votes will be cast to determine the Republican nominee, I need your help more than ever.

There are just hours remaining before the midnight deadline for the end of the fundraising quarter, and it's vital you contribute whatever you are able right away to help my campaign reach our goal.

Can I count on you to make your most generous contribution to help me finish strong in Iowa and New Hampshire?

2011 has proven one thing - my message of liberty, free markets, and respect for the Constitution is popular.

Voters are rejecting counterfeits who claim to be conservative, but whose records reveal them as the Republican face of Big Government.

And Americans are flocking to my campaign because my record is principled, consistent, and conservative.

So please, click here to make your most generous contribution and help us reach our goal of raising $2 million by tonight's midnight deadline.

A victory in Iowa will slingshot me to a strong finish in the New Hampshire primary and the other early state contests.

As great a year as 2011 was, you and I can make 2012 the year constitutional government was restored to America.

I thank you for all that you have done in the name of liberty, and I wish you and yours a very happy New Year.

For Liberty,

Ron Paul

P.S. 2011 proved that freedom is popular.

Senator Rand Paul: ‘Not Decent!’

Dear friend of liberty,

Not too long ago, Newt Gingrich said with 100% certainty, "I'm going to be the nominee."

It's got to be hard watching something you think you're entitled to slip away.

This past Tuesday, on CNN's The Situation Room, Newt Gingrich, who is freefalling in the polls as voters find out the truth about his record, vented some of his frustration by lashing out against my dad.

First, Newt flat-out said "No" when asked if he would vote for Ron Paul as the nominee against Barack Obama.  Even more revealing, Gingrich later, of course, took a different position and admitted he "didn't know" what he would do if he had to choose between Ron Paul and Barack Obama.

I understand his predicament, though.  And for once, I believe his flopping around is genuine.

On one hand, he could support the most consistent conservative candidate, who has a serious plan to cut $1 trillion in spending during his first year, balance the budget, and fix our fiscal mess.

On the other hand, he could vote for the candidate who more closely represents the things he's endorsed, like spending billions in bailouts, allowing Fannie and Freddie to continue their disastrous operations, forcing Americans to buy health insurance, restricting our Second Amendment rights, cozying up to environmental extremists, and spreading our brothers, sisters, fathers, and mothers thin all over the world to nation-build without end.

It must be tough for Newt.

As if his comments couldn't get any more ridiculous, Gingrich mocked the active duty servicemen and women, small business owners, homeschooling parents, grassroots volunteers, and hundreds of thousands more who have gotten behind Ron Paul when he stated that my dad's views are "totally outside the mainstream of virtually every decent American."

It just goes to show you how out of touch the Washington insiders really are.

And, despite what he says, the choice is very clear.

If we want to get our nation back on track, ensure we have a national defense that is second to none, and protect our liberties by returning to a government that abides by its constitutional limits, we must elect Ron Paul as President.

Your generous support has enabled my dad's campaign to surge in the polls at just the right time, as they work around the clock to take the truth about his message directly to the American people.

It's hard to believe the Iowa Caucus is next Tuesday, with New Hampshire the following week.

Because he plans to finish strong in victory, my dad has set a goal of raising $2 million this week by the end of the quarter deadline on December 31.

I hope you'll help him reach this goal by contributing today.

Newt's attacks are just the latest in an onslaught of desperate establishment attempts to smear my dad and scare the voters about his plans to change the status quo.

But one thing is for certain, if the Republican Party wants to once again wander in the wilderness, the fastest way there is to nominate another Big Government politician like Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney.

We can do better, and America deserves better.

It's time to elect someone with an untouchable record of consistency and support for liberty - even when it meant standing alone.

It's time to return to the principles of liberty that made our nation strong and prosperous.

It's time to elect Ron Paul.

Millions of undecided voters will make up their minds in the coming days and weeks.

The amount of outreach my dad's campaign can conduct and the level of its effectiveness depend heavily on what kind of support he receives this week.

Please, donate right away to help him reach his $2 million goal by the end of the quarter deadline, December 31.

For Liberty,

Rand Paul

ICYMI: Bachmann Key Aide’s Statement on Sen. Kent Sorenson Defection

Bachmann Iowa political director Wes Enos fires back at Mrs. Bachmann’s claim that Sen. Sorenson’s desertion was financially-motivated

ANKENY, Iowa – U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann’s Iowa political director Wes Enos recently made enlightening comments concerning Iowa State Sen. Kent Sorenson’s defection to the Ron Paul camp from his position as Iowa Chairman for the Minnesota congresswoman’s campaign for the presidency.

Hours ago, Sen. Sorenson resigned from his post with the Bachmann camp and publicly endorsed Ron Paul for the presidency, committing to get out the vote for the 12-term Congressman from Texas in the pivotal first-in-nation voting contest.

Mr. Enos made his comments in response to unfounded allegations that Sen. Sorenson’s defection was made due to financial incentives made by the Ron Paul 2012 Presidential campaign.  Mr. Enos’s comments on the matter follow, and are presented in full:

“I won’t say much about the situation or the conflicting statements beyond this; I can say unequivocally that Kent Sorenson’s decision was, in no way financially motivated.  His decision had more to do with the fact that the Ron Paul supporters have been something of a family to him since he was first elected in 2008 and here in the end, as it becomes more and more apparent that the caucus cycle is coming to an end, Kent believed that he needed to be with them as they stand on the cusp of a potential caucus upset.  While I personally disagree with Kent’s decision, and plan to stay with Michele Bachmann because I truly believe in her, I cannot, in good conscious watch a good man like Kent Sorenson be attacked as a ‘sell-out’ ….That is simply not the case, and it was not the basis of his decision,” said Mr. Enos.

VIDEO: Ron Paul Reacts to Compassion Ad on CSPAN

http://RevolutionPAC.com/compassion | GOP presidential contender Ron Paul appeared Thursday 12/29/2011 on Des Moines radio station WHO’s morning program “Mickelson in the Morning,” hosted by Jan Mickelson.

In this clip from the interview Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) reacts to the new Revolution PAC web ad titled “The Compassion of Dr. Ron Paul.”

WHO is an all-news and talk format radio station that serves Des Moines and the surrounding areas. According to their website, Jan Mickelson has been “commenting on government, politics, education, hi-tech gadgets and other issues” since 1988.

Source: Revolution PAC. Video was included with original press release.

VIDEO: The Compassion of Dr. Paul

James Williams of Matagorda County, Texas recounts a touching true story. Living in a still prejudice Texas in 1972, his wife had a complication with her pregnancy. No doctors would care for her or deliver their bi-racial child. In fact one of the hospital nurses called the police on James.

Dr. Ron Paul was notified and took her in, delivering their stillborn baby. Because of the compassion of Dr. Ron Paul, the Williams’ never received a hospital bill for the delivery.

Ron Paul views every human being as a unique individual, afforded the rights endowed by our creator and codified in the Bill of Rights.

See the video here on YouTube.

Source: Revolution PAC.

RNC Releases New Year’s Resolution Cards

By Johanna Persing

WASHINGTON – The Republican National Committee (RNC) launched ObamaResolutions.com with New Year’s Resolution cards featuring President Obama and his liberal buddies:

“As Americans celebrate the holidays with their friends and families, they will have a chance to reflect on 2011—most notably the failed leadership and reckless economic policies under President Obama and his Democrat friends,” said RNC Chairman Reince Priebus.

“So, we’ve launched ObamaResolutions.com with New Year’s Resolution cards that you can send to your friends and family reminding them of ways that Democrats could improve in 2012.

“We thought the president could work on a few things like his campaign slogan(s), the infamous ‘shovel ready projects’ and fulfilling the promises he made to the American people. For Senate Majority Leader Reid, we were hoping he could lead the Democrat Senate to pass a budget for the first time in nearly 1000 days. And, we hope President Obama’s own ‘Wall Street guy’ Jon Corzine can find the $1.2 billion dollars of clients’ money he gambled away.

“As we enter 2012, Republicans stand ready to tackle the enormous challenges this country faces. Americans can only hope President Obama and the Democrats will be ready to do the same.”

VIDEO: Why Are Iowans Supporting Ron Paul?

At a town hall in Cedar Rapids, a local veteran and mom share what brought them to support Ron Paul.

Mike9 from Daily Paul notes:

“This video is excellent!

The first interview is the strong voice of an Army and Iraq War Veteran who eloquently makes the case for Ron Paul’s Foreign Policy. Can Dick Morris stand Toe-to-Toe with this Soldier and tell him that “NO TRUE PATRIOT COULD BE FOR RON PAUL?” I’d like to see it!

The second interview is with a woman who expressed concerns that many average Americans will have with Ron Paul, but as long as all of us can articulate the message that only through freedom that we can make a healthy and prosperous world! Just look at the actions of Dr. Paul as a Physician, a man who would never accept Medicaid and treat those in need for free.”

Source: Revolution PAC. Video was included in original press release.

New TV Ad: 'Machine'

Ad condemns harmful Washington atmosphere and presents Ron Paul as leader with a bold plan to solve our economic crisis

LAKE JACKSON, Texas – The Ron Paul 2012 Presidential campaign released today a new television ad titled ‘Machine’ airing on television in the key early voting states of Iowa and New Hampshire.  The ad begins airing today.

The 30-second ad condemns the dysfunctional Washington-insider atmosphere created and furthered by slick politicians, and presents Ron Paul as a leader who has stood apart and above such an environment.

‘Machine’ suggests that the self-serving actions of serial flip-flopping politicians brought about the current period of government-imposed economic weakness.  These politicians are ones that supported corporate bailouts and mandates on businesses, to the detriment of our overall economic health.  In glaring contrast, Ron Paul is showcased as a different kind of politician who has always been outside of the well-oiled machine that works for itself rather than for America’s needs.  Included in the ad are details of the 12-term Congressman from Texas’s ‘Plan to Restore America,’ which makes the hard choices and sets the nation on a path to recovery and lasting, sustainable prosperity.

“Our new ad ‘Machine’ argues the point that Washington is populated with politicians and well-connected interests that serve themselves rather than a vulnerable public that relies on politicians to create the proper atmosphere for fair competition and growth.  In contrast Ron Paul has always been above the fray and promotes policies and initiatives such as his ‘Plan to Restore America,’ an economic blueprint to help Americans recapture their constitutionally-guaranteed economic and civil liberties,” said Ron Paul 2012 National Campaign Chairman Jesse Benton.

To view the television ad online, please click here.

Merry Christmas

Dear lover of liberty,

 

Just a couple of days ago, Congress gave the American people the tremendous gift of finally adjourning and leaving town.

 

C4L will be ready to once again put the pressure on as soon as our legislators return to D.C. in January, and we’ll need your help every step of the way to finally pass a thorough audit of the Fed in 2012 and continue the rest of our fight to reclaim the Republic and restore the Constitution.

 

Thank you for keeping C4L on the frontlines of the battle for freedom.  We're looking forward to even more successes on the local, state, and national levels in the coming year.

 

Merry Christmas!

 

In Liberty,

 

Matt Hawes

Vice President

VIDEO: Wishing You All the Best

Dear friend of liberty,

 

This has been an incredible year for the liberty message.

 

Thanks to you, my campaign is reaching millions of voters, and we're surging at just the right time.

 

As we prepare to make our final push in Iowa and New Hampshire, I wanted to thank you for all of your generous support.

 

If you haven't seen it yet, I hope you'll take a moment to watch our campaign's Christmas ad, which features my son, Senator Rand Paul.

 

It's running on television today in Iowa, and that's only possible because of you and your fellow grassroots patriots.

With a busy campaign season about to get even busier, I'm greatly enjoying getting to spend time with my family today, and I hope you're also able to spend a relaxing day surrounded by family and friends.

 

From Carol and I, and all of our campaign staff, have a Merry Christmas!

 

For Liberty,

 

Ron Paul

RNC Chairman Reince Priebus and Co-Chairman Sharon Day Christmas Message

By  Johanna Persing

 

WASHINGTON – Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Reince Priebus and Co-Chairman Sharon Day released the following Christmas message:

 

“Christmas time is a treasured chance to leave behind the stresses and strains of the year and welcome the holiday spirit of joy and peace,” said Chairman Priebus.

 

“Surrounded by family and loved ones, we pause to celebrate the Child whose humble birth so changed the world. On Christmas, may the hope He brings warm our homes and fill our hearts. 

 

“Let us also remember this Christmas the many men and women serving our country overseas. We think of those far from home and of their families, who are even more aware today of their long absence. They should know we support them and pray for them—ever mindful of their sacrifice and thankful for their service.”

 

“As we embrace relatives and exchange presents, we should also take time to extend a hand to those in need,” said Co-Chairman Day. “In the season when we celebrate God’s gifts of love and grace, we can and should readily give of ourselves.

 

“We wish everyone a Merry Christmas, and we hope the blessings of the holiday season will be with you long into the New Year.”

Happy Holidays from the Obama Family

President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama recorded a special video to wish the American people a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

 

Check it out:

The holidays are the perfect time to give thanks to our men and women in uniform and the families who support them. You can join the President and First Lady in thanking our troops, military families and veterans for their service and sacrifice by visiting JoiningForces.gov.

 

Happy Holidays!

Roger Simon: If Ron Paul Wins Iowa, We Just Take It Out

Roger Simon, the Chief Political Columnist at Politico openly stated on the 12/22/11 edition of Andrea Mitchell Reports on MSNBC, “If Ron Paul wins Iowa, we just take it out.”

 

This is a clear announcement by the “mainstream media,” in advance, of their intention to black out/discredit Ron Paul if he wins Iowa.

 

If you didn’t think there was bias in the media, this video will erase all doubts.

 
Source: Revolution PAC. Video courtesy of RonPaul.com.

Rick Perry Disqualified From Virginia Primary Ballot

By Anita Kumar

 

Republican presidential candidate Rick Perry failed to submit enough valid signatures to qualify for the Virginia primary ballot, state GOP officials said Friday evening.

 

Perry’s campaign told state election officials it had submitted 11,911 signatures, but a Republican source familiar with the situation said that the Texas governor did not submit the required 10,000.

 

Earlier Friday, the Republican Party of Virginia certified former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney and Rep. Ron Paul (Tex.) to appear on the March ballot.

 

Four candidates — Romney, Perry, Paul and former House speaker Newt Gingrich — turned in thousands of signatures by the deadline Thursday.

 

State party officials are spending Friday certifying the signatures. They have not examined Gingrich’s signatures… (Read more)

 

Source: Washington Post

VIDEO: West Wing Week 12/23/11 or "#40dollars"

With the holidays in full swing and the countdown clock ticking away, President Obama continued to press Congress for the extension of the payroll tax cut for 160 million working Americans and unemployment insurance benefits for those looking for work. The President urged House Republicans to put aside their political games and pass a bill that garnered overwhelming, bipartisan support in the Senate.

 

Watch the Video.

Pretrial Wraps Up for Alleged Document Leaker

By Donna Miles

American Forces Press Service

 

FORT MEADE, Md.  – The prosecution and defense rested today after delivering their closing statements in the Article 32 hearing of a soldier charged with leaking hundreds of thousands of classified documents.

 

Today’s session, which adjourned at about 10:30 a.m., wrapped up eight days of pre-trial proceedings in the case against Army Pfc. Bradley E. Manning that began Dec. 16.

An Article 32 hearing, often compared to a civilian grand jury, is a pretrial hearing to determine if grounds exist for a general court martial, the most serious of courts martial.

 

The investigating officer, Army Lt. Col. Paul Almanza, now has until Jan. 16 to issue his recommendations to the Special Court Martial Convening Authority, a Military District of Washington spokesperson told American Forces Press Service.

 

Alamanza may ask for an extension, if needed, the official said.

His report will recommend that the case be referred to a court martial, or that some or all of the charges against Manning be dismissed.

 

The Special Court Martial Convening Authority, Army Col. Carl Coffman, will then provide Alamanza’s recommendation to the General Court Martial Convening Authority, and indicate whether he concurs with it, the MDW official said.

 

Manning, an intelligence analyst, is suspected of leaking military and diplomatic documents to the whistle-blowing website WikiLeaks in what officials believe is the biggest intelligence leak in U.S. history.

 

WikiLeaks, in turn, released thousands of these documents, including classified records about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, on its website last year.

 

At the time, then-Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and other senior defense officials condemned the organization’s actions, claiming the act put deployed service members at an increased risk.

 

The Article 32 hearing marked 24-year-old Manning’s first appearance in a military court since his arrest in Iraq in May 2010.

 

He faces more than 20 charges alleging he introduced unauthorized software onto government computers to extract classified information, unlawfully downloaded it, improperly stored it, and transmitted the data for public release and use by the enemy.

 

The charge of aiding the enemy under Article 104 of the Uniformed Code of Military Justice is a capital offense; however, the prosecution team has said it won’t recommend the death penalty, a legal official said.

 

If convicted of all charges, Manning would face a maximum punishment of life in prison. He also could be reduced to E-1, the lowest enlisted grade, face a total forfeiture of all pay and allowances and dishonorable discharge, officials said.

 

(Editors’ Note: Elaine Sanchez contributed to this article.)

VIDEO: The Difference

Good afternoon --

 

Earlier this week, it looked like Congress would go home for the holidays without preventing a tax increase that would mean millions of American families would have about $40 less in each paycheck.

 

But then something pretty incredible happened.

 

It began when we asked everyone to show us how that missing $40 would affect them and their families. In a matter of hours thousands of vivid, powerful stories from Americans of all ages, all backgrounds, from every corner across the country were pouring in. For some, $40 means dinner out with a child who's home for the holidays. For others it means a tank of gas or a charitable donation. In just two days, tens of thousands of Americans were making their voices heard.

 

You spoke up. Your voices made all the difference.

 

Thanks to you, Congress reached an agreement to extend the payroll tax cut.  On top of that, vital unemployment insurance will continue for millions of Americans who are looking for work.

 

Yesterday I had the chance to meet a few of the folks who took to the web to make this happen.

 

Take a moment to hear what they had to say:

We aren't done fighting for the middle class. When Congress returns, they need to keep working to reach an agreement that will extend this tax cut and unemployment insurance for all of 2012 -- without drama or delay.

 

That's just the beginning of our work ahead in the new year to put more Americans back to work, restore middle-class security, and ensure that folks who work hard and play by the rules get a fair shot.

 

More than ever I'm confident that, together, those are goals we can achieve.

 

Thank you, Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays,

 

President Barack Obama

Bombings in Iraq

Statement by the White House Press Secretary on Iraq

 

We strongly condemn the terrorist attacks against innocent Iraqis, which serve no agenda other than murder and hatred.  We offer our condolences to those whose loved ones were lost or wounded.  Attempts such as this to derail Iraq’s continued progress will fail.  Iraq has suffered heinous attacks like this in the past, and its security forces have shown they are up to the task of responding and maintaining stability.  Time and again, the Iraqi people have shown their resilience in overcoming efforts to divide them.  We continue to urge leaders to come together to face common challenges.

 

Vice President Biden has spoken to several senior Iraqi leaders over the past week. Today he called Iraqi President Jalal Talabani to offer our full support for his efforts, and those of other Iraqi leaders, to foster dialogue that will allow all Iraqi blocs to work through their differences together. The Vice President also reiterated the need for actions to be guided by the rule of law and Iraq’s Constitution. At this difficult time, the United States stands with Iraq as a strategic partner and a close friend.

VIDEO: Adherence to the Oath

New RevPAC Ad

 

After being in the works for a few weeks, Revolution PAC’s production team unleashed a new ad today titled “Adherence to the Oath”, featuring Vietnam veteran Bill Manning. In a calm, commanding voice, Manning speaks emotionally about what taking the Oath to uphold the Constitution means to him, and why he thinks Ron Paul gets such overwhelming support from the US military.

 

According to Q3 FEC donation reports, Ron Paul received virtually triple the donations from active-duty military than all the other Republican candidates combined. This fact is vindication of Ron Paul’s non-interventionist foreign policy, and a direct contradiction to clueless pundits like Dick Morris, Bill O’Reilly, and Sean Hannity, trapped in a neo-con isolationist fantasy world of endless war and death.

 

In a recent statement, which has received serious backlash from combat veterans, Dick Morris actually said anyone who supports Ron Paul and his campaign is “unpatriotic”.

 

Combat veterans are saying:

 

The sad part is that Dick has no idea what he is talking about. He has no personal experience on which to base his opinion. You see, Mr. Morris was too much of a coward to put his own ass on the line by volunteering for the military during the Vietnam War. He was twenty years old in 1968- prime fighting age. Some other poor kid fought and died in his place. He should be ashamed of himself. Not for dodging service in Vietnam, mind you, but for espousing his current hawkish attitude toward foreign policy despite his reluctance to serve in his own war. You can talk the talk, Dick, but you never had the balls to walk the walk.

 

“Adherence to the Oath” is a clear example of why Ron Paul’s philosophy of a non-interventionist foreign policy is winning over in the minds of the American people, who are sick of endless overseas endeavors which are bankrupting our nation, while the stale neo-con “bomb everything forever” mantra is fading away like an evening sunset.

Source: Revolution PAC. Video was included in original press release.

Free Speech and Occupy Wall Street

By George Reisman

 

The Occupy Wall Street protesters were allowed to remain in New York's Zuccotti Park for two months, against the will of its private owners. They were clearly trespassers, indeed, much worse than garden variety trespassers, who almost always quickly leave. They were there prepared to stay indefinitely. In effect, they were literally attempting to steal the park from its lawful owners.

 

Nevertheless, they were allowed to remain, in the belief that to eject them would somehow constitute a violation of their freedom of speech. They had seized the park in order to denounce capitalism. Ejecting them, would have ended their use of the park for that purpose and thus, according to virtually everyone with a public voice, from New York's Mayor to the lowliest media reporter, would have violated their freedom of speech.

 

A major lesson to be learned from the occupation is that hardly anyone nowadays understands the meaning of freedom of speech. Contrary to the prevailing view, freedom of speech is not the ability to say anything, anywhere, at any time. Actual freedom of speech is consistent with respect for property rights. It presupposes that the speaker has the consent of the owners of any property he uses in speaking, such as the land, sound system, or lecture hall or radio or television studio that he uses.

 

Had the owners of Zuccotti Park invited the protesters to camp on their land and propound their ideas, and then the police had ejected them, the protesters' freedom of speech would in fact have been violated. But that was not the case. The only actual violation of freedom present was… (Read more)

 

Source: Mises.org

RNC Chairman Priebus Statement on Agreement to Extend the Payroll Tax Cut

By Johanna Persing

 

WASHINGTON – Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Reince Priebus released the following statement on the agreement to extend the payroll tax cut:

 

“It’s good news for the American people that Republicans in Congress have taken action so Americans will be able to keep more of their paycheck in the New Year.

 

“Simply put, after three years of Barack Obama’s failed policies that have taken us in the wrong direction, it’s clear we don’t have a leader in the White House capable of putting forth a long term plan to restore our country back to economic health.

 

"With more than 13 million Americans unemployed and trillions of dollars added to our debt, we need a president who will put our country’s best interests before his reelection.”

Reservist Asks First Lady to Marine Corps Ball

By Elaine Sanchez

American Forces Press Service

 

WASHINGTON  – When it comes to a date for next year’s Marine Corps Ball, Lance Cpl. Aaron Leeks is starting early and setting his sights high.

 

At a Toys for Tots event on Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling here last week, the Marine reservist asked First Lady Michelle Obama to be his date at the ball next November -- with her husband’s permission, of course.

 

The Marine reportedly made his move while the first lady was helping Marines and Toys for Tots volunteers sort through hundreds of toys donated by the White House staff. The 60-year-old program, run by the Marine Corps Reserve, collects toys to donate to needy children.

 

After he asked her to accompany him, Obama smiled and responded “I’d love to,” according to news reports, and brought over an aide to get his information.

 

The reservist, who is assigned to the joint base, is slated to deploy to Afghanistan next month, but said he plans to return for the ball.

 

If her husband approves and she’s able to attend that night, the first lady will be taking a recent Marine Corps celebrity date trend to a whole new level.

 

Last summer, while deployed in Afghanistan, Marine Corps Sgt. Scott Moore took to YouTube to ask out actress Mila Kunis. She accepted and accompanied Moore to a Marine Corps Ball on Nov. 18 in Greenville, N.C.

 

Following in Moore’s footsteps, Marine Corps Cpl. Kelsey De Santis extended a YouTube invitation to pop star and actor Justin Timberlake in July. They attended the Basic School Instructor Battalion 236th Marine Corps Birthday Ball in Richmond, Va., on Nov. 12.

 

In a blog post, Timberlake called it “one of the most moving evenings” he’s ever had. “I felt so proud to be there,” he wrote. “I felt like I was getting a chance to be among my heroes.”