Should We Rename The Tea Party, The American Taliban?

President Obama

Over the course of Obama's presidency, many so-called experts claim populist anger has been at an all-time high.  Neo-Nazis groups are reemerging, and other hate groups have sprung forth as well. Ever since the election of America's first black president, we have seen a drastic rise in these subversive groups.[See Article]
It doesn't matter that Obama has taken an economy that was in shambles and put it back on course. It doesn't matter that when he[Obama] took office our country was accumulating a debt like never before, and Obama has put measures in play that have turned it [deficits] around. Obama has done these positive things with a backdrop of pure seditious Republican obstruction. Moreover, the right-wing media, backed by deep-pocketed billionaires like the Koch Brothers have blasted the liberal president agenda as being a fascist, socialist, and communist one, as if there is even such a thing.[See Article] All of this bogus rhetoric has been directed at the very lowest common denominator of our society. Uneducated poor racist white people who call themselves the Tea Party and their cause has been coined " The Patriot Movement." [Read: Why Do Poor Uneducated White People Vote Republican?]

It has been a remarkable scene. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, there are 939 active hate groups operating in the Unites States.[2013] All hate groups have beliefs or practices that attack or malign an entire class of people, typically for their immutable characteristics. 

Hate group activities can include criminal acts, marches, rallies, speeches, meetings, leafleting or publishing. Websites appearing to be merely the work of a single individual, rather than the publication of a group, are not included in this list. Listing here does not imply a group advocates or engages in violence or other criminal activity.[Southern Poverty Law Center]

What has exploded more than any other faction has been the formulation of the so-called militia. In this writer's view, it's nothing more than a bunch of  grown-ups of both genders playing Army in the woods. The Tea Party and the Patriot Movement has been the spark that has opened this nasty can of worms in America. [See:Personality Traits Of The Right Wing Extremist] 

Should We Rename The Tea Party The American Taliban?

The Tea Party A Vehicle For Anger

Anyone who denies that the Tea Party is a racist organization is either kidding themselves or suffering from the worst case of denial ever recorded in the history of man.[See Article]  The politics of hate are the benchmark of the Republican Party. And now with a black president in the White House, organizations like the Tea Party, which have been co-opted by the Koch Brothers have a " green-light," to turn up the volume on racist activity all in the name of GOD and country. Factor in the reality that [America Loves A Good Conspiracy Theory!] and what you have is a Molotov cocktail ready to explode. Obama is going to take your guns. Obama is going to turn our country over to the Muslims. Obama is a dictator. Obama is the anti-christ and facilitator of the New World Order.[NWO] The conspiratorial rhetoric has been in a word " pathetic." Now, for the dangerous element of these most unholy associations, we have seen high-ranking " good-old-boys" in law enforcement; mostly Sheriffs and Judges form partnerships for lack of term, with the Tea Party and the subsequent Patriot Movement.

A Prime Example-- If This Would Have Been The Black Panthers We Would Have Seen Helicopters Mowing The Protesters Down In Cold Blood

The American South Has Become An International Disgrace, Why?

If you take a look at it, yes there are hate groups all over the country. However, a closer examination finds the American South inundated with these groups of hate. There is  this springboard of hate groups from familiar states Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, North and South Carolina, and Texas. The thing that's sad is these people wear this malfunction as a badge of honor. The behavior of these citizens is not only legendary and historical, but also predictable. The radical-right wing of the Republican Party in the rural South have taken over the party. What happens when you have uneducated racist and bigots controlling your party with well-funded media echo chambers like Fox News force-feeding them trumped up unfactual red meat? A rise in domestic terrorism.[Domestic Terror: The Deadliest Game! ]

This increase in domestic terrorism has spiked since the election of America's first black president.

A report says extremist groups have used President Obama as a recruiting tool.

“Most statements by rightwing extremists have been rhetorical, expressing concerns about the election of the first African-American president, but stopping short of calls for violent action,” the report says. “In two instances in the run-up to the election, extremists appeared to be in the early planning stages of some threatening activity targeting the Democratic nominee, but law enforcement interceded.” [See Report]

Then you have this sovereign nation movement. There are groups who are seriously advocating secession from the United States. Their platform would make a persons home an embassy. The person would call themselves diplomats. Therefore, you can't arrest us. We don't have to pay taxes. And, lastly, we do not have to follow the laws or regulations of the United States. These groups are nothing more than off-shoots from the "Tea Party and Patriot Movement." Here is just some of the lustrous sovereign nation citizens.

Sovereign Nation Citizens Hall of Shame

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Montana Freemen were a Christian Patriot movement based outside the town of Jordan, Montana. The members of the group referred to their land as "Justus Township" and had declared themselves no longer under the authority of any outside government. They became the center of public attention in 1996 when they engaged in a prolonged armed standoff with agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.[See Source]

 

The Montana Freemen  story tell us something very interesting. There are various versions of these sovereign nation movement groups. The members of these groups feel they can just join these organizations and declare their sovereignty and not have to pay their taxes. They don't have to have driver's licenses. This whole idea originated from radical groups back in the 70's and 80's. Their whole legal argument rest on the Posse Comitatus Act. 

The Posse Comitatus Act is the United States federal law (18 U.S.C. § 1385, original at 20 Stat. 152) that was passed on June 18, 1878, after the end of Reconstruction and was updated in 1981. The purpose of the act (in concert with the Insurrection Act of 1807) is to limit the powers of Federal government in using its military personnel to enforce the state laws.

The Act does not apply to the Army and Air National Guard under state authority from acting in a law enforcement capacity within its home country or in an adjacent state if invited by that state's governor. The United States Coast Guard, which operates under the Department of Homeland Security, is not covered by the Posse Comitatus Act either, primarily because although the Coast Guard is an armed service, it also has both a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency mission. While the Act does not explicitly mention the naval services (United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps), the Department of the Navy has prescribed regulations that are generally construed to give the Act force with respect to those services as well.[See Source]

 

Posse Comitatus Act Explained?

There were back then as there is today these groups of people who feel they are the organic citizens of this country.[White Privilege] They believe they were placed in this country by GOD Almighty himself. They claim to have this divine connection with the heavenly father. That this land[United States] was given to them and that no government can interfere. What these groups are saying is that " we white people were given this land by GOD and that we can't be told what or what not to do." 

In legal jargon, what these groups contend is that they are not 14th Amendment citizens.

What is important here to point out is that all of this crazy right-wing madness are all just remakes of the John Birch Society. See article, Why Understanding The John Birch Society Is Important . Is it not remarkable, that we are seeing a reemergence of the John Birch Society?[JBS] The JBS has become an annual sponsor of those  CPAC conferences were we see one Republican nut-job after the other try to woo the Republican minion.  CPAC back in the early 90's denounce several conservative groups as being racist. The JBS was one of those groups. Today America is a very different place.
Now, by allowing the JBS to be a co-sponsor of this annual conference should tell even the most casual observer of politics where this country is heading and moreover what political party is behind this civil-injustice.

As we have seen in foreign lands ruled by theocratic organization like the Taliban. People are having their heads chopped off for not following their doctrines, and we are seeing these same type Christian groups here in America advocating the very same but under the guise of Christianity. [See Article]

Then you have these self-righteous, self-proclaimed, and self-absorbed people who call themselves " Oath Keepers." These deluded people believe that the United States is about to impose martial law on us all. And, they are the " Holy Warriors" to save us. The majority of these nutcases are ex-military and law enforcement. [See:Are We Creating Holy Warriors In Our Military? ]

They[Oath Keepers] are the main ones proclaiming that We The People are going to be herded into concentration camps by our mean and menacing government. It's that New World Order conspiracy with a new twist or two.[ See: America Loves A Good Conspiracy Theory! ] The bottom line this is very far a field. What is surprising is how little this craziness has been called out by the mainstream media. One could argue this is because there is no one central charismatic figure. However, the reality is these ideas and mindsets are completely groundless. Mindless pundits and political figures like Sara Palin, Glenn Beck, Lou Dobbs, Sean Hannity, and news outlets like Fox News say and report things routinely that are entirely false. What is happening with news outlets like Fox News and others is who can out spook who, and it all goes to rating and profits. What is dangerous is the way it affects many unstable Americans to act out in violence and much of this reverts to the electing of the first person of color to the " White House."

Case In Point!

Domestic Terror: The Deadliest Game!

With the big emphasis being on counterterrorism, since 9/11, what has gone unnoticed  has been the rising number of events amounting to Domestic Terrorism done in the same time frame.
People who commit "acts against the state," and draw their inspiration from U.S. inspired ideologies and movements have killed American citizens and damaged property across the country. The Department of Justice [DOJ] and the FBI do not officially list domestic terrorist organizations but have them listed as a "threats" category.  Crimes in the name of ideologies supporting animal rights, environmental rights, anarchism, white supremacy, anti-government ideas, black separatism, and anti-abortion beliefs were all labeled as " threats to public safety.[See Source]

Domestic Terror Groups Are On The Rise In America.

All too often, we hear in America just how awful Jihadi terrorism is and very little is made of the rising events of domestic terrorism and the horror they invoke as well. What's disheartening, these events are on the rise with no end in sight. In the last decade, there has been a steady increase in hate groups across America. There are your usual players the "Klan", and Neo-Nazis organizations. However, spectacularly where the biggest rise came from was the so-called " Patriot Movement." There have been two-dozen incidents of Domestic Terrorism since 9/11, and there appears to be growth in the anti-government extremist activity according to several watchdog groups. 

A large number of these new-age domestic terrorists use non-traditional tactics, suicide bombings or airplane hijackings, which are old-school to these modern-day terrorists. Needless to say, they have been engaged in vandalism, trespassing, and 'Tax Fraud," for example.  Much like the Jihadists, Domestic Terrorists are Internet savvy and use the source as a base for operations. 

Many domestic terrorists rely on the concept of leaderless resistance. This involves two levels of activity. On an operational level, militant, underground, ideologically motivated cells or individuals engage in illegal activity without any participation in or direction from an organization that maintains traditional leadership positions and membership rosters. On another level, the above-ground public face (the “political wing”) of a domestic terrorist movement may focus on propaganda and the dissemination of ideology—engaging in protected speech[See Source] 

Is terrorism becoming just another form of politics? 

One of the main issues we have in combating domestic terrorism is one of a proper definition. Different federal agencies use different criteria to define or describe Domestic Terrorism. Our research also found no real clear data showing just how many incidents have occurred or how many plots have been foiled. Also, there seems to be poor inter-agency communication regarding intelligence gathering with no set standard in place. This intercommunication goes to the state and local areas as well.  You cannot get a precise, comprehensive, and public answer as to why from the government.

The FBI generally relies on two fundamental sources to define domestic terrorism. First, the Code of Federal Regulations characterizes “terrorism” as including “the unlawful use of force and violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives.”6 Second, 18 U.S.C. Section 2331(5) more narrowly defines “domestic terrorism” and differentiates it from international terrorism and other criminal activity.7 This definition comes from Section 802 of the USA PATRIOT Act (P.L. 107-52). According to 18 U.S.C. Section 2331(5), domestic terrorism occurs primarily within U.S. territorial jurisdiction, and domestic terrorism involves (A) ... acts dangerous to human life that are a violation of the criminal laws of the United States or of any State; (B) appear to be intended— (i) to intimidate or coerce a civilian population; (ii) to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion; or (iii) to affect the conduct of a government by mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping.... [See Source]

  In fact, the Bureau’s practical, shorthand definition of domestic terrorism is “Americans attacking Americans based on U.S.-based
extremist ideologies.

What is confusing is the term "U.S. based ideologies."  The FBI 's definition seems to be straightforward. However, a closer evaluation of many so-called domestic terrorist organizations reveal they have international roots. In addition, they still have active followings abroad.  There is ambiguity on how these incidents are handled, categorized, and reported.

 Decades Upon Decades of  Endless Struggle. 

As the fight against racism took shape in America, the forces of injustice became brutal. This brutality enacted a heavy toll on " life and limb." This struggle continues to this day. The well-published murders of three civil rights workers in Philadelphia, MS, is but just one of many examples of this brutality.

Since 9/11, there have been more American deaths by Domestic Terrorists than Islamic Extremists. 

Anti-Government sentiment is on the rise and rebellion is in the air. The important thing to remember is that acts of domestic terror are not new to the American culture, but the fact they are on the rise is troubling. What we are seeing is the "Christian Right, Return To Its Racist Past."  

1995--Ex-Military turned Domestic Terrorist Timothy McVeigh= Oklahoma City Bombing

This truck bomb attack by Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols killed 168 people on April 19, 1995, – the deadliest domestic-based terrorist attack in US history and, indeed, the deadliest act of terrorism in U.S. History,  before the September 11, 2001 attacks.  It inspired improvements to United States federal building security.[See Source]

      

1996--Ex- Army Explosive Specialist turned Domestic Terrorist Eric Rudolph= Centennial Olympic Park Bombing

The Centennial Olympic Park bombing was a terrorist bombing on July 27, 1996, in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, during the 1996 Summer Olympics, the first of four committed by Eric Robert Rudolph, former explosives expert for the United States Army. Two people died, and 111 were injured.

There Were Zero Muslims Terror Attacks In U.S., In 2012.

 

Prof. Charles Kurzman
UNC School of Sociology 

“Counter-terrorism policies have involved surveillance — not just of Muslim-Americans, but of all Americans and the fear of terrorism has justified intrusions on American privacy and civil liberties all over the internet and other aspects of our lives. I think the implications here are not just for how we treat a religious minority in the U.S., but also how we treat the rights & liberties of everyone.” [See Source]

 Since the 9/11 terror attacks, 33 Americans have been killed by Islamic Terrorists, during that same time frame, 180,000  people were murdered in America. What is more shocking and more troubling is the 66 Americans killed by " Mass Shootings, " which is twice the number who died at the hands of Islamic Terrorists.

 Right-Wing Extremism Is More Of A Threat To Public Safety Than Al Quaeda. 

Common Sense tells us we must have some system in place to detect those who would do harm to the public safety. Most sensible Americans agree that a fair percentage of our tax revenue should go towards this purpose for the common good. And there have been success stories of foiled attempts.

Terrorist incidents from American Muslims is on the decline for the third straight year. After an uptick in 2009, there were 18 plots in 2011 involving 21 U.S. Muslims. And it’s not just violent plots: Fewer Muslim-Americans are getting indicted for money laundering, material support for terrorism, and lying to investigators. There were 27 people indicted on those terror-support charges in 2010, eight in 2011 and six in 2012. [See Source]

 You would think the conservatives in America would be performing " ring-around-the-roses," however, factions within their party are screaming " Big Brother," at the Obama Administration. With the anti-government fear  being what it is today, there have been many groups to organize and more or less radicalize themselves. Right-Wing Extremists are not just racist and hate groups. they also include the people with the mindset that rejects federal authority. The so-called Tea Party-Patriot Movement is a good example. The data is indisputable. Right-Wing Extremism is fueling Domestic Terrorism in America.

 We The People must demand our government to stop ignoring home-grown terrorist organizations. If protecting someone's personal freedoms to be a domestic terrorist endangers the overall public safety, we must apply the common good and wants to override such injurious activity.  Of course, your right-wing gun nuts are going to scream governmental overreach. In the meantime, some whacked-out ex-military holy warrior is going to get in his mind to go "Save America" and shoot up the foreigner's place of  worship. Case In Point:

Wisconsin Sikh Temple Shooting

Wade Michael Page

On August 5, 2012, Wade Michael Page fatally shot six people and wounded four others in a mass shooting at a Sikh temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. Page was an American white supremacist and United States Army veteran from Cudahy, Wisconsin. All of the dead were members of the Sikh faith.[See Source]

You hear this hate garbage all over right-wing radio, and the internet is ablaze with anti-government revolution in the air narratives.  Evidently some people take the message to heart and we have dead people to prove it. 


Domestic Terror, the deadliest game that more and more Americans seem eager to play. Extremism is the fuel that ignites this fire. One study found that most law enforcement personnel equate extremism with terrorism. Bottomline is there is a " lack of uniformity" in the way domestic terrorist activities are litigated in America. By using the term, 'Extremist' allows prosecutors, policymakers, and investigators the mobility to discuss terror-like activity without labeling it as " Terrorism." We will cover just "What Is an Extremist" in our next edition[ Read: Personality Traits Of The Right Wing Extremist]

These Type Groups Are Everywhere!

America Loves A Good Conspiracy Theory!

America Loves A Good Conspiracy Theory. A large segment of the American population subscribes to some form of conspiracy theory.

• More than one-third of Americans believes that the Obama Administration is secretly trying to take everyone’s guns away.. 
• Twenty-five percent of Americans believe President Obama is attempting to stay in office beyond 2017, including 44 percent of Republicans.
• More than a quarter of Americans believe that Muslims are trying to implement Sharia Law in American courts while 55 percent disagree.[See Source]

The conspiracy theory of “false flag” operations where the government plans and executes terrorist or mass shooting events to blame on others isn’t popular with a vast majority of Americans, despite the best effort of websites like infowars.com. Seventy percent say the government doesn’t perform that kind of operations.[See Article]

George Carlin Raised A Question With Comedy

What is at stake is more than one small country [Kuwait], it is a big idea - a new world order, where diverse nations are drawn together in common cause to achieve the universal aspirations of mankind: peace and security, freedom, and the rule of law. Such is a world worthy of our struggle, and worthy of our children's future. --President George Bush in his state of the union address, January 16, 1991

Let's Stop And Think For A Moment

President Obama must be " Superman." He[Obama] has contrived a fake birth certificate so well as to pass every test under the sun, moon, and stars, while managing to create " death panels" in the Affordable Care Act. In addition, this was being timed with Obama's  plan to destroy religious liberty by mandating contraceptives for religious institutions. Oh, I almost forgot the " Deep Water Horizon" incident that was an inside job to garner support for his tree-hugging base. Needless to say, it was Obama who masterminded the Syrian gas attacks as a pretext to war. Let's not leave out he[Obama] planned the shooting of a TSA agent to strengthen agency powers. And lastly, the one that stuns this writer's heart that our President Obama ordered the Sandy Hook school massacre to push through gun control legislation, and build concentration camps to house Americans who resist.

People Believe This Stuff!

People do believe in these conspiracy theories,  and they do so in shocking numbers. For example, about one- third of Americans believe the " birther" conspiracy theory that Obama is a foreigner, and that 9/11 was an inside job by the Bush Administration. " America Loves A Good Conspiracy Theory! 
It's clear that the popularity of conspiracy theories are the fad of modern day rebellion. There is a strong case to be made that many truths have come forth from tirelessly dedicated truth-seekers. However, this " creates a new conspiracy theory tab here button," has gotten a bit over the top. In fact,  it has lessened the overall credibility of many of the legitimate conspiratorial  questions being raised by advocates.

Why Do So Many People Fall For Conspiracy Theories?

One needs to grasp what is meant by conspiracy theory. Our study has found,  once a person believes in a conspiracy theory, it's  like " pulling teeth" for the individual  to see another view. Any fair evaluation on the topic of conspiracy theories brings you to the 'Grand-Daddy," of all conspiracy theories:  the Illuminati & New World Order- Conspiracy. 

What Do We Know That Is Real, Right Now?

Is Citizens United A Conspiracy Theory Come True?

The Supreme Court ruling known as Citizens United vs. FEC, has probably affected the course of American politics  more than any other event in the last several decades.  How could this have happened?  And, in addition, was it foretold in the famous New World Order conspiracy theory? Citizen United will be the case that lives " in infamy " for all Americans who fought to get special interests out of our politics.  It was our " Pearl Harbour," " 911", and "Hurricane Katrina" moments. The Supreme Court has opened the " floodgates" for the Special Interests backed by the Global Elitists to steal the American Dream.  As it stands right now, foreign corporations  can spend undisclosed amounts of cash  and Citizens United tells the American people it's none of your business. 

In the paranoid mind, the Illuminati succeeded in their goals and have now infiltrated every government and every aspect of society. They are responsible for every evil and every unjust act that ever occurs anywhere; the fact that no evidence of their existence can be found only serves to make them stronger and more frightening. They are the demon in the closet and will probably never disappear from the paranoid fantasy world of right-wing conspiracy theorists. --New England Skeptical Society

 What's  So Seductive About Conspiracy Theories?

The idea that conspiratorial persons are these anti-socials living in their mom's cellar is incorrect. Studies have shown that believers in conspiracies are not gender, age, race, income, educational level, or occupational status specific. People with both political affiliations equally  believe in conspiracy theories. Liberals are more likely to suspect that media sources and political parties are pawns of wealthy capitalists and corporations because conservatives tend to believe that academics and liberal elites control these same institutions. GMO conspiracy theories are embraced primarily by those on the left (who accuse, for example, Monsanto of conspiring to destroy small farmers), whereas climate change conspiracy theories are endorsed mainly by those on the right (who inculpate, for example, academic climate scientists for manipulating data to destroy the American economy).[See Source]

The Recycled Conspiracy Theories of Alex Jones, NRA, Glenn Beck (with Arthur Goldwag)

 

Calling On The Yellow Rose Of Texas-Save Us Again!

An overflowing of immigrant families, mostly children, at the U.S. border with Mexico has led to calls for aid from the Obama administration and has sparked the conversation regarding immigration reform. Border patrol spokespersons have indicated that within the past two-weeks the number of people detained has fallen from 1,400 per day to 1,000 per day. The decrease has been attributed to several dynamics from both sides of the border.

Raul Ortiz

 Raul Ortiz, deputy chief of the Rio Grande Border Patrol Sector, told NBC News.

The decrease can most likely be attributed to dynamics at play on both sides of the border, Ortiz said. While border patrol officers usually see a 10 percent decrease in immigration in July, he said, this month also followed a June "deadline" that people crossing from Central America thought they had to make in order to stay in the U.S. legally. That supposed benefit was false.The rumors were spread by cartels, looking to make money by ushering people into America through Mexico. 

There have been messages put out by the Dept of Human Services warning people of the dangers in trekking across the U.S. and Mexico border. Also, the Obama administration has beefed up the agents on the border as well. 

With all this happening you then factor in the right-wing politicians making political hay of these present realities by placating to their largely racist anti-government base blaming the current administration for the problem when, in fact, is only following the protocols put in place by their own past president George Bush. We have heard of domestic terrorist groups masquerading as so-called organized militia threatening to locate to the border and start shooting woman and children.

In this writers view, what we have in play here is a cultural war and a total ignorance of the history of both the United States and the State of Texas. As a resident of Houston, Texas, I know firsthand just how diverse this city has become and the entire state for that matter. Very few people realize that Houston has surpassed both New York and Los Angeles as the most diverse city in the nation. This distinction is also relative of the state as a whole. Our country has long been labeled a ' melting pot." and has always been a country that has prided itself for its welcoming of people looking for a better life. So, why the indifference now? If you look back on it, the same elements whining and crying about these children at our border now where outspoken in allowing temporary work furlongs for immigrants to combat unionize workers and to facilitate so-called " right to work," legislation. What this is boiling down too is a cultural social war and the issue to this point has become a play toy for the right-wing radicals and their wind up doll politicians like U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, who incorrectly said that Barack Obama has promised amnesty to illegal immigrants.[See Article] 

Calling On The Yellow Rose Of Texas, Save Us Again!

    Many people may or may not know that the person who was credited for detaining Mexican General Antonio López de Santa Anna, was a lady by the name of Emily D West also known as Emily D Morgan. This detainment according to both folk-lore and secular history enable the Texas rebels time to form and defend and defeat the Mexican army at the Battle of San Jacinto. This battle has been widely accredited for turning the tide in the Texas Revolution. Ironically, this decisive battle was fought right here in Harris County,Texas and home of  the nation's most diverse city Houston. What does this story have to do with woman, children, and families crossing into our state borders, one might ask?

Firstly, it goes to the word diversity. Not being originally from Texas, this writer was aware of the famous folk tune ' The Yellow Rose of Texas.' however, I did not know the story behind it and I surly assumed she was a white person. How wrong was I, very!

According to several reliable sources Ms. Emily West was a mixed race person. A teenage orphaned free Negro woman in the northeastern United States, journeyed by boat to the wilderness of Texas in 1835.  Colonel James Morgan, on whose plantation she worked as an indentured servant, established the little settlement of New Washington (later Morgan's Point). When Santa Anna and his troops arrived in the area, he claimed West to take the place of his stay at home wife in Mexico City and the traveling wife he had acquired on his way to Texas. The traveling wife had to be sent back when swollen river waters prevented him from taking her across in the fancy carriage in which she was riding. Santa Anna was either partying with West or having sex with her when Sam Houston's troops arrived for The Battle of San Jacinto, thus forcing him to escape in only a linen shirt and "silk drawers;" in which he was captured the next day. West's possible forced separation from her black lover and her placement in Santa Anna's camp, according to legend, inspired her lover to compose the song we know as "The Yellow Rose of Texas." [See Article]

In Closing, how ironic that the icon for saving Texas from defeat in it's fight for independence was a woman of mix race. This should serve as a symbol to all Texans and Americans alike how endorsing the detainment, and unwelcoming of these woman, children and families goes against our heritage as a state and a nation.We as concerned citizens should not let the voices of the racist and politically motivated politicians dictate the policy of We The People. With that said, we call on the yellow rose of Texas, save us again! 

The Statue of Liberty Song

Written By: Johnny Hill

Research: Roni May

What Would Thomas Paine Say If He Were Alive Today?

Who Was Thomas Paine?

According to Wikipedia, 

Was an English-American political activist, philosopher, author, political theorist and revolutionary. As the author of two highly influential pamphlets at the start of the American Revolution, he inspired the Patriots in 1776 to declare independence from Britain. His ideas reflected Enlightenment-era rhetoric of transnational human rights. He has been called "a corsetmaker by trade, a journalist by profession, and a propagandist by inclination. Moreover, he promoted reason and freethinking, and argued against institutionalized religion in general and Christian doctrine in particular.

With that said, what would the Britain born political activist of his day have to say about America Today? What would his views be on Corporations as people, and money equaling free speech. Would he approve or is he turning over in his grave? Would the recent Hobby Lobby case cause him to take the stump and pen to paper or would he affirm the decision? Based on this writers research the answer to these questions would be an emphatic no. Paine's early activism caught the eye of then statesmen Benjamin Franklin. Ironically, Paine's early activism centered around better pay for the working class in his home country of Britain. Thomas Paine moved to America was mainly because he was a failure at many of his endeavors in Britain and America offered him a fresh start. Once getting to America he began working as a journalist. The breakout of the American Revolutionary war gave Paine the chance to define in print the purpose of the war which to many had remained ambiguous. This condition of not really knowing what the American colonies were fighting for inspired his most famous literary work entitled " Common Sense."  

In this writers view, Common Sense was the first litmus test on how political activism and journalism could co-mingle themselves not only to educate the unknowing masses, but to actuate change in public thinking which resulted in changing public policy which in this case led to the American Revolutionary war. What to this day is a little known fact is that only a third of the organizers of the rebellion in America were for total independence. It was not until the publishing of Common Sense that the tide swung and what resulted was the Declaration of independence.

I offered nothing more than simple facts, plain arguments, and Common Sense. [Thomas Paine, 1776]

It was this pamphlet that stirred the public discourse to such a point that it brought about the desired recourse for We The People. 

George Washington  was quoted

" The American people owe their liberty to Thomas Paine more than any other man."

One of Thomas Paine's most famous quotes:
'There are times that try men's souls.' Are we not living in such times today? We have a high court that places more regulations on a female's vagina than on weapons of mass destruction in the hands of mental incompetents. In addition, we have a high court through judicial over-reach totally ignores the separation of church and state doctrine  in our constitution. In fact, the behavior of the U.S. Supreme Court mirrors very much the actions of the British monarchy of Paine's time. We have an attack of the rights of workers in this country that was the genesis of Paine becoming politically active in the first place. What was a British monarch in 1776 has become a corporate monarch of 2014. With everyday citizens losing rights on a daily basis to corporate bought legislative tactics such as "right to work," "voter ID laws," and gerrymandering just to name a few these are truly times that can try a man's soul.

Just like today, conservative thinkers of Paine's time found him bothersome. John Adams called Thomas Paine a mongrel. Just like today, when you have politicians like Rand Paul, Ted Cruz, and Christian zealots applauding the Hobby Lobby decision  for upholding so-called religious liberty at the expense of everyone else we see our present condition here in America reverting back to a truism this writer holds dear," history does repeat itself." Conservatives of Thomas Paine times are no different than modern-day conservatives. They fear change. In closing, the important thing and example that Thomas Paine's story teaches us is that we must as individuals make a mark for ourselves on what we stand for and believe. No matter how insignificant you may feel your voice crying in the wilderness might be it's the collective voices crying together that can become a roar and effect change. What would Thomas Paine say if he were alive today? Rise America, participate in the process these are times that try men's souls use your common sense with reason.

    


  

   

Libertarianism Is Not Only Wrong, It's Dangerous!

Abraham Lincoln 

We are living in ever-changing times. These changes are happening in all facets of our lives. On the political front, there are more and more people who call themselves or at least identify with what has come to be called libertarianism. Over the last year, I have been putting to study the behavior and attitudes of these pro-claimers of liberty and justice for all. Frankly, I have not been impressed with their narrative from their outspoken correspondence which makes comments like. "You sure love letting people steal your money!" 
Moreover, their behavior brings to mind the famous quote from one of the most popular presidents of all time, Abraham Lincoln.

"The perfect liberty they seek is the liberty of making slaves of other people." -- Abraham Lincoln

To a libertarian, property rights are sacred. Any government is bad. Capitalism has no flaws, and the capitalist are the modern-day nobles of our society. Worker rights and activism is evil. Lastly, they feel the poor are pampered and "good-for-nothings," who should be left to fend for themselves. For example, an outspoken libertarian Murray Rothbard, who claimed to be such an intellectual, advocated a dangerous spew to the least common denominators of our society. The libertarian’s emphasis is the demagoguery of government and taxation, and here is an example of his rhetoric:

   

Rothbard was an early pioneer of modern-day libertarianism. In a nutshell, libertarianism is a radical anti-state political philosophy. It unites a free-market system of economics,with a no exception attachment to property rights, a so-called profound love of human liberty and a love of peace, with the conclusion that society should be allowed to develop with no interference from the state whatsoever. In fact, the libertarian feels there should be no state,  period. The libertarian hates worker unions. They [Libertarian's] claim labor unions pursue policies that disrupt a capitalism in action that is the cause of their prosperity.
Renowned libertarian Ludwig Von Mises once said:

Ludwig Von Mises

  

       "What is today euphemistically called the right to strike is in fact the right of striking workers, by recourse to violence, to prevent people who want to work from working."

With The Libertarian Who Needs Facts?

One thing this writer has uncovered in research of the libertarian and the followers of its ideology is that facts don't matter. Who needs facts, seems to be their mantra. Studies have shown when people leave one ideological extreme they usually end up in another. The methodology of the libertarian is not that hard to follow. Oppose their perceived evils of the world with a fairy tale; "Obama coming to take your guns, Obama is a Muslim and not a natural born citizen who is going to hand America over to our enemies, there is epidemic voter fraud." These are but just a few of the libertarian backed fairy tales of our current times. The bottom-line is the academic libertarian loves abstract, fact-free arguments. This type of behavior may go over well with like-mined right-wing authoritarian followers, where nobody is going to pull the old fact-checker out. But, en masse, it matters to the American people and time after time these flawed untruths being levied by deep-pocket backers of the Libertarian party have backfired on the libertarians.

The Libertarians Think They Are The Modern Day Founding Fathers!

All the modern day political parties want the founding fathers on their side. The facts, with any earnest study, clearly shows all modern day political parties laid their roots in the 1700s. All of us are liberals, conservatives, libertarians, and independents against the monarchy which hovered over us, and we fought as a nation to unleash ourselves. We all fight for liberty and the pursuit of happiness. History has revealed to us times when our founding fathers not only encouraged rants against government, but led the charge. There were also times when our founding fathers were against rants of rebellion, anarchy, and the anti-government rhetoric that has become so common-place in today's environment.

James Madison

"It cannot have escaped those who have attended with candor to the arguments employed against the extensive powers of the government, that the authors of them have very little considered how far these powers were necessary means of attaining a necessary end."

"Stable ownership is the gift of social law, and is given late in the progress of society."

 

"All the Property that is necessary to a man is his natural Right, which none may justly deprive him of, but all Property superfluous to such Purposes is the property of the Public who, by their Laws have created it and who may, by other Laws dispose of it."

The Constitution of the United States is the very definition of a strengthened government. The Federalist Papers were nothing more than an extended argument in support of the Constitution. In fact, the founding fathers comprised a balance that was arbitrary and coercive. Fast forwarding to modern times, the founding fathers had no way of foreseeing the New Deal. There was no need for this type of action back when our nation was being forged. However, there are examples when the founding fathers were quick to resort to the resources of the state as quick as any modern day liberals. For example, Ben Franklin, played the Pennsylvania legislator like a "piano in the dark," using it to fund a hospital he wanted to establish. One of the first instances in our nation’s history, using the state to do good social work. It's also worth bringing to the light that the founding fathers' words were much nobler than their actual deeds. Most were quite comfortable with owning slaves. Women were given no voice whatsoever. George Washington himself, by executive order, made it a crime to criticize the government.

For almost 150 years, in fact, the Bill of Rights was paid lip service in patriotic orations and ignored in the marketplace. It wasn't until after World War I that the Supreme Court began the process of giving real meaning to the Bill of Rights.[ Source: Robert Allen Rutland]

Why Are Libertarians Dangerous? 

The libertarians are dangerous because of their growing influence within the Republican Party for starters. Then there is the emergence of the radical Tea Party, which is nothing more than the repackaging-of-the-fascist-playbook. These people are political crackpots and are, usually, harmless. However, with America electing a black president, the Republican Party hierarchy began to come to the realization that its Southern strategy no longer can win national elections. Catering to the lowest common denominator in our society; the uneducated, racist, anti-government types, and their fairy tale propaganda is spurning not only division among people in America it is emboldening anyone with an ax to grind. To act out in violent anti-social ways which have brought on the genesis of new terms like ' hate crimes', and 'don't tread on me,' mentalities. With the already flawed doctrines of the Republican Party being proven to be failures, we see a faction develop that says we must hang on to power no matter what.  In short, Republicans have taken the libertarian mantra that " government is bad," and run with it, largely with the help of deep-pocketed influences like the Koch Bros. Judicial decisions like corporate-person-hood and money is free-speech and lastly gerrymandered voting districts we are, in fact, looking at a governess by organized mob. Take all of this into account with the following  Republican doctrines already in place and we have a civil storm brewing in this country. This storm is why Libertarianism is not only wrong, it's dangerous. Here are just but a few of the ills of the libertarian's influence on the Republican Party.

Reagan's "Government is the problem."

Phil Gramm's contention that the country's "economic crisis" and "moral crisis" were due to "an explosion of government."

Talk radio hosts' advocacy of armed resistance to "jack-booted government thugs."

Dole's 1996 campaign, advancing the notion that taxes were "Your Money" being taken from you.

Gingrich's Contract with America (welfare cuts, tax cuts, limitations on corporations' responsibility and on the government's ability to regulate them)

Dick Armey's comment that Medicare (medical aid for the elderly) is "a program I would have no part of in a free world."

Bush's tax cuts, intended not only to reward the rich but to "starve the beast", in Grover Norquist's words: to create a permanent deficit as a dangerous ploy to reduce social spending.

Jeb Bush's hope that the Florida state government buildings would one day be empty.

Intellectual support for attacks on the quality of working life in this county and for undoing the New Deal.

   In closing, here is a video by an ex-libertarian who, mind you, clearly states his narrative is a worst case scenario if the libertarians were to gain a foot-hold of our We the People government. For one, this writer hopes never to see such a day. 

Written By: Johnny Hill