Is Libya the Next Domino?

Could Libya be the next domino to fall in the unrest sweeping across North Africa and the Middle East? Philip Shenon in the Daily Beast thinks it is quite possible.  Like other tyrants obsessed with their own power, Qaddafi and his family have amassed huge fortunes to the detriment of their people.

While squalor, poverty, and helplessness are the norm for the average citizen in Libya, Qaddafi has been supporting terror, accumulating billions in a personal fortune, and squandering the nation's wealth on a military to control the people and repress dissent.

Shenon writes:

But the allegations of corrupt dynastic politics in Libya are not much different than those of Tunisia and Egypt. And diplomats and scholars suggest Libyans may be just as angry as their Arab brethren across their border about bad behavior by their first families. Qaddafi himself seems perplexed about the chaos in the region, saying last week that President Ben Ali in Tunisia was the "victim of lies" told on the Internet and that the Tunisian should have remained in power for life.


Meanwhile, the Saudi tyrant, I mean King Abdullah, has denounced the unrest in Egypt as being the result of "infiltrators".  No doubt, Abdullah is now shaking in his pajamas wondering if he might be the next dictator forced to flee his country because of a popular revolt.

And once again, we've seen an amateur White House that has failed to adequately respond to the winds of change blowing across the Middle East.  Like the Iranian protests in 2009, Obama has been practically silent while Joe Biden made his typical stupid remarks about how Mubarak isn't really a dictator.

Yeah, and Obama is the smartest president in history who deserved his Nobel Peace Prize.

I would prefer to see western leaders strongly support democratic revolutions in the Middle East and beyond.  Furthermore, there should be a complete halt to military aid to such corrupt, tyrannical regimes who brutally repress their people.

There is still a very real danger that factions of radical Islamists will seize the opportunity to take power in Tunisia, Yemen, Egypt and elsewhere.

Dramatic Video From Egypt Potests

The anger of the people is clearly visible, but the chants of allahu akbar are equally worrying.

Egypt At the Threshold

Egypt stands at the precipice of change.  Change to what remains the question.  Will Egypt become a democracy, or another theocratic tyranny run by the Muslim Brotherhood similar to Iran.  Protests and riots in Egypt have brought the government to the brink of collapse.

Let us hope that the forces of moderation, human rights, freedom, and liberal democracy prevail.

Despite that VP Joe Biden claims that Mubarak is no dictator, it is clear to those living in reality that Mubarak's dictatorship and brutal regime needs to come to an end.  Then again, Biden has frequent problems with his foot uncontrollably flying into his mouth. The Egyptian security forces are known for their brutality, torture, and ruthlessness.

The Egyptian people have had enough of the corruption, violence, and intimidation.  They want a say in how they are governed, and rightly so.

Tunisia was the first domino of change across north Africa and the Middle East, but it is far from certain that the current civil unrest will lead to liberal democracy.  There is a very real and frightening possibility that more theocratic states will emerge that will be sympathetic to Al Qaeda, radicalism, Wahhabism, and ardent opponents of any sort of peace with Israel.

For now, let us hope that another thug will be sent into permanent retirement.

The Tunisian Revolt

There has been a great deal of change in the Middle East since the attacks of September 11, 2001.  Libya gave up its weapons of mass destruction voluntarily, Iraq is now a democracy that has seen the US come and go, Iran is close to having a nuclear weapon, Yemen is the new hotbed of Al Qaida training and planning, Lebanon has seen violence with Israel and Hezbollah fighting it out, Syria had its nuclear facility destroyed and funnelled money and arms to Iraqi terrorists from 2003 to 2008.

Now, a popular revolt in Tunisia has overthrown the government led by strongman Zine El Abidine Ben Ali for 23 years.

So what does this mean for the region?  Will further popular revolts be seen in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Libya or Morocco?  Will such unrest be fueled by a thirst for Sharia law and Islamic fundamentalism, or of liberal democracy and human rights?

Certainly, the Islamists will attempt to exploit any instability to strengthen their position.  However, the west also has the opportunity to promote democracy and provide support to parties and leaders that are secular, committed to the rule of law and human rights.  Such is a tall order in the Islamic world, but it has worked thus far in Iraq.

Daniel Pipes writes in the National Post:

"As Washington sorts out options, I urge the administration to adopt two policies. First, renew the push for democratization initiated by George W. Bush in 2003, but this time with due caution, intelligence, and modesty, recognizing that his flawed implementation inadvertently facilitated the Islamists to acquire more power. Second, focus on Islamism as the civilized world’s greatest enemy and stand with our allies, including those in Tunisia, to fight this blight."

An opportunity has presented itself.  Let's hope that the forces of freedom seize upon it.  If they don't, the radicals will.

Rush Limbaugh: Tucson Shooting Fails To End The Right-Wing Media

Listen to Rush Limbaugh discuss the Tuscon shooting at RealClearPolitics - Video - Rush: Tucson Shooting Fails To End The Right-Wing Media

Milton Friedman on Health Care

The most genius ecnoomist of the 20th century discusses socialized health care.

Dumb and Dumber - Illinois Raises Taxes

The Democrats have the same answer to every problem: more government.  Hence, when the economy is suffering and unemployment is rising, the response from the IL Democratic controlled legislature is to raise taxes.  Krauthammer calls it suicide.

What the G20 Protests Can Teach Us

I have little sympathy for the protesters who took to the streets of Toronto last summer to rail against globalization (whatever that means), free trade, corporations, capitalism, or whatever their beef happened to be.  Those that went down to witness the protests and got a face full of tear gas also get little sympathy from me.  I live in mid-town Toronto and purposefully avoided going anywhere near that chaotic scene.

Nevertheless, I worry about such shows of force by the police.  Let's not forget that the police are the instrument of the government (the state) to carry out the enforcement of laws, but also to coerce citizens at times.  The police power of the state is one of the most important powers of the government, but also the one to fear the most.

The story of Dorian Barton is one of particular concern for those who value freedom, the rule of law, and freedom of speech.  Barton put himself in a bad situation, but that's never an excuse for police brutality.

The police are there to serve and protect citizens.  It appeared that many citizens were caught in the crossfire at the G20 and were arrested without having broken any laws.  Much of the blame falls on TO Police Chief Blair who seems incapable of showing any consistency in enforcing the law (think Tamil Tiger protests when nothing was done as laws were blatantly broken).

The law must be enforced consistently for people to respect it and those that enforce it.  The law is not arbitrary, indeed arbitrary laws are unconstitutional on their face.

While the decision to hold the G20 in Toronto was a poor one, and one that caused much trouble in terms of safety, protests, and traffic congestion, it should not detract from that inalienable right of peaceful expression, assembly, and movement.  All such rights are subject to reasonable restrictions of course, but it is difficult for me to honestly say that many individuals had their rights breached by the police during the G20 protests.

At the same time, the rights of law abiding citizens were jeopardized by the violent, unjustified actions of many hooded thugs who attached, destroyed, and vandalized private property. 

My point is that caution should be exercised when police enforcement powers are used with such a heavy hand.  Similarly, the rights of expression, speech, and assembly should not be carried out in a way that threatens the safety of officers, the public, or dignitaries either.  It boils down to responsibility, and many showed a tremendous lack of personal responsibility on both sides of the picket lines last summer.

Palin's Response to the Demagogues

Palin responds to the disgusting commentators who blame her for the act of a lone mad man.


Sarah Palin: "America's Enduring Strength" from Sarah Palin on Vimeo.

I don't support Palin for President, but the hate inflicted on her is nothing short of vile.

The Infamous AZ Sheriff

A tragedy has occurred in Tuscon, AZ and the person who deserves blame is Jared Loughner who committed the act.

However, questions should be raised as to why Sheriff Clarence Dupnik did not provide sufficient protection to Rep. Giffords in light of the known threatening behavior of Loughner.

Why did the Sheriff do nothing?  Why was Loughner not questioned, interrogated, or arrested for his threatening language and actions?

Instead of hurling insults and blame at conservatives, Sheriff Dupnik should re-think his police work and the protection of his constituents.  Moreover, Dupnik's comments may have even prejudiced this case and the future trial of the accused.  Dupnik seems far too concerned with politics and not concerned enough with the facts surrounding this case.

Conservative Stupidity

Conservatives like to make things difficult for themselves at times.  The upcoming CPAC convention is no exception.  The "American Principles Project" (APP) has their britches in a knot because Gov. Mitch Daniels is being invited to speak along with a few conservatives in favour of gay marriage.

Now, for the record I would consider myself socially conservative as well as fiscally conservative.  But conservatives should welcome differing points of view in order to be a Big Tent.  This doesn't mean that you have to accept every RINO like David Frum and David Brooks, but you have to accept that an someone who agrees with you 80% of the time is an ally, not a 20% enemy.

I'm a big fan of Gov. Mitch Daniels and the great things he's done in Indiana. To APP, his cardinal sin is saying that a "truce" should be called on social issues for now.  I have to agree with him despite my abhorrence of abortion rates and other social issues afflicting the west at present.  nevertheless, the biggest issue facing the US is massive deficits and debt that threaten the republic's very existence.  The APP won't be defending much socially speaking if the USA can't pay its bills.

Others skipping CPAC are Among the influential conservative groups planning to skip this year's event: The Heritage Foundation, Tony Perkins' Family Research Council, Brent Bozell's Media Research Center, and Concerned Women for America.


Other speakers at CPAC will include: Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Sen. John Thune, Texas Gov. Rick Perry and Texas Rep. Ron Paul.  A big tent indeed.  Let's hope the APP et al can see the forest for the trees.

To the Haters...

To the "left" who are bent on blaming the Tea Party, Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, and any other "conservative" who opposes illegal immigration, supports the second amendment, and wants smaller government: don't.  To blame an entire group of people that includes millions of law abiding citizens as complicit in the act of one lunatic is ridiculous.

Let's recall that Obama urged caution and "not to jump to conclusions" after Maj. Hasan yelled "god is great" and shot his fellow soldiers at Fort Hood.  Should the same caution not be urged now?

Democracy requires openness and freedom, but these things always come at a cost.  Freedom requires that individuals be permitted to arm themselves for defence.  Unfortunately, that means that some crazies will always be able to get their hands on guns through legal or illegal means.

Freedom means we'll hear rhetoric and views we don't like, but that never gives us a right to kill our political opponents.  Ever.

The tragedy here is terrible.  A Democratic Congresswoman was shot and a Republican federal judge was murdered.  A young girl, aged 9, was killed.  All the victims were innocent of wrongdoing towards the gunman. 

Rhetoric After AZ Shooting Deplorable

The shooting in Arizona of Rep. Giffords and others is a horrendous act.  The individual responsible deserves the death penalty for their actions.  Unfortunately, the left is using the incident to attack conservatives just as they did after the Oklahoma City bombing.

However, before the left attacks Sarah Palin and others, they should recall that the Democratic National Committee also used "targeting" imagery in their own literature.



So, those who live in glass houses...

But to be realistic, using a bulls-eye or target or whatever is no excuse for murder.  Yes, the rhetoric is overblown on both sides over political matters at times, but heated debate is not a bad thing for any democracy.  However, those like Keith Olbermann should hardly be attacking Fox News or Palin for their imagery or rhetoric.  No one, Democrats or Republicans is advocating violence against the other side.  No one in the GOP or Democrats believes murder is an acceptable act against one's political opponents.

So take a deep breath and pray for the victims of this tragedy.  Let us all pray that this won't ever happen again.

Obama Thinks US is Digging Out of Recession

Obama has just named Chicago politico-thug member Richard Daley as his chief of staff, bringing even more Chicago-style politics to DC.  How sad, but even more tragic for the United States and those struggling with unemployment, foreclosure, and hopelessness.

"We've got a big hole that we're digging ourselves out of," Obama said. 

In the words of the Chief Wiggum, "Dig up, stupid."

Employment figures disappoint by coming in below expectations and Obama thinks things are getting better.  The unemployment rate drops by 0.4% because more people have given up even looking for work, and Obama sees improvement.  Perhaps, this is because he sees increased dependency on government by individuals relying on unemployment benefits as a positive thing for his party and his "transformational" agenda.

Obama is recycling former Democratic Party hacks like Sperling, Holbrooke, Clinton, Biden, and Daley who have never run a business, never worked in the private sector (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac don't count), and don't have a clue about how the economy works.  Government growth will continue to burden the economy causing things to worsen.

If Obama wants recovery, he needs to shrink the government in terms of its share of GDP, in raw personnel, in the number of regulations, indeed every aspect of government must contract.  The government functions by sucking from the private sector since the government produces nothing of value.  In fact, there is nothing the government produces that the private sector every wants to purchase on its own accord.  Government forces people to pay, to buy, to adhere, and to comply. 

Every new regulation and law that restricts commerce or individual freedom will be another pin prick (or stake) in the economy causing a gradual death of capitalism and free enterprise.  The future in Obama's plans contains very little hope, and virtually no change for the better.

Krauthammer: Boehner too Humble

Charles Krauthammer opined on Fox News that GOP Speaker of the House was overly humble in consideration of the GOP's mamoth landslide victory in November.

Democrats May Start Attacking Constitution

There is really only one thing that stands in the way of a massively expanded government in the United States: the Constitution.  The Constitution is the only thing that limits what the state can do, what it can regulate, and what it has power over.  The Democrats, and those on the left, resent this because they do not believe there should be limits on what government can do.

Even today, the Democrats are lashing out at Republicans for emphasizing the importance of the Constitution.  The GOP has wisely vowed to read the Constitution from start to finish to begin the 112th session of Congress.  They also promise to make it a requirement to cite which part of the Constitution grants the Congress the authority to act in each new law that comes before the House. 

Considering that all members of Congress are required to swear an oath to uphold the Constitution, it would seem that this makes sense.  Writers on the left are ridiculing Speaker Boehner, the GOP, and the Tea Party for such tactics.  As their ridicule fails, they will eventually begin attacking the Constitution itself as an outdated document that is no longer necessary or useful in modern America.  In fact, Michael Lind of Salon is already doing that today in his column.

The legal attacks by states on Obamacare has also been mocked by liberals who cannot even comprehend that the government may be restricted from doing something because it encroaches upon the liberty of individuals. 

And so the stage is being set for the next epic political battle in America.  Will the Constitution be cast aside in favor of unlimited expansion of the government, or will the government be restricted by the people and the rule of law through the Constitution's legal boundaries that protect the sovereignty of the individual.

President Obama has repeatedly signaled that he does not believe that the rights and freedoms of Americans are inherent and self evident as a gift from God, but rather a gift from the benevolent state.

The debate of our times may well be whether government should be allowed to do whatever it wants, regulate whatever it sees fit, and pass whatever laws it deems necessary, or whether the rights of sovereign individuals trump the "goodwill" of the state.  If America loses its foundation of sovereignty of the individual, it will have lost its freedom.

Canada - Land of Opportunity

Canada is the land of opportunity, but don't take my word for it:

Look what's not happening in Canada. There is no real estate crisis. There is no banking crisis. There is no unemployment crisis. There is no sovereign debt crisis. Recent reports suggest that consumers are loading up too much debt, but Canada shares that problem with nearly every other country in the industrialized world.


Canada is stable, growing, and investor friendly, basically everything the United States has, unfortunately, ceased to be since the Democrats took control of Congress in 2006.

Bacon goes on to point out:

Now, instead of expanding Canada's welfare state, the conservative government led by Mr. Harper is intent upon building the nation's global competitiveness. Our friends in the Great White North cut their corporate tax rate to 16.5 percent on Jan. 1 and will see it drop to 15 percent next year. That compares to the current U.S. corporate tax rate of 35 percent. That will give Canada the lowest corporate tax rate among the G-7 nations and an eye-popping advantage for businesses wondering whether to locate on the U.S. or Canadian side of the border.

What a great country I live in.  Dare I say, the greatest on Earth.  God bless Canada, and I pray that God blesses the US of A and restores her sanity in the near future.

Harper Shuffles the Deck

First things first, Happy New Years readers.  To start things off, Prime Minister Harper (I never get tired of saying that), has shuffled his cabinet members to include Peter Kent to take over the environment portfolio and Julian Fantino to become the minister of state for seniors.

This won't mean much to the added voter but it may be influential for a 2011 election in the voter-rich ridings of the Greater Toronto Area.

The Conservative Party has struggled to gain a firm hold of the 905 area surrounding Toronto and has gained virtually not seats in urban areas of Canada's largest city.  Nevertheless, with more high profile candidates and the recent victory of Rob Ford as Toronto's new mayor, Harper's political future may be looking brighter in the golden horseshoe.

PM Harper commented: "Canadians have just come through a year during which the rewards of prudent financial stewardship and of appropriate, well-timed stimulus measures have yielded dividends in jobs and growth."

Personally, I'd prefer they cut the stimulus off completely since government stimulus does nothing but redistribute money from one sector to another without necessarily producing wealth creation or economic growth.  However, Harper has to be seen as doing something politically in the eyes of voters and the media regardless of its real effects on economic activity.

That said, Canada is outperforming most of the western world and is by far one of the most stable countries in the OECD.  Our leadership is steady, calm, reassuring, and market oriented.  This is all attractive to investors and entrepreneurs looking to get a return on capital and investment.  It's quite the opposite in the US where unpredictability is wreaking havoc on the economy as employers have no clue what health care costs, taxes, and government expansion may result in come 2011 or 2012.

Once again, well done Mr. Harper.