Clinton makes loan to campaign via Dubai

Senator Obama raised more money than Senato Clinton in January by a 3 to 1 margin. The only way for the Clintons was to prop up their own campaign was through personal funds - to the tune of $5 million before Super Tuesday. Now just where does a Clinton get $5 million on such short notice? From a land far, far away where money is as abundant as the sands. Dubai. The Emir of Dubai is a close personal friend of the Clintons. In fact, Bill has been giving speeches there for over six years for around a half million each. Lately though, Bill has been an advisor for a company called UKEEPS that wanted the Emir's money so badly that it has reportedly paid the former President $10 million a year to keep the cash flowing. Bill was in charge of investing the Emir's moolah in this company. Mr. Clinton has never registered as an agent of a foreign company or government. Now for the kicker. The Clintons needed a jolt of fast cash to infuse into the campaign because donations had slowed while everyone jumped on Obama's wagon. There just happened to be a $20 million buyout clause in this little arrangement. The cash went from the Emir to Clinton's right pocket then presto changeo to the campaign of his wife. Can you say illegal boys and girls? But, hey what can you expect from this dynamic duo? It's just another day's work for those that crave the power of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. I heard once that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. You don't say?

The Lesser of Two Liberals

Riddle me this: If Senator Kennedy endorsed Obama and Hillary gets the nomination, will Ted support McCain? They did co-sponsor the immigration/amnesty bill together. Maybe Kennedy will become his running mate. John does have a certain affection for East Coast liberals (e.g. Kerry).

Endowment Funds and Green Bumper Stickers

Governor Beshear of Kentucky announced last night his first budget proposal and the whining hasn't stopped since. The hardest hit, according to the one that is the supposedly hardest hit, is higher education. Lee Todd, the president of the University of Kentucky, is upset that that there will be a 12% reduction to the state's universities and community colleges. Meanwhile, fundraising was up again last year as the endowment fund for UK ballooned to a reported $831 million. Some dire straits they are in, huh? Tuition increases will be announced soon, along with cuts in campus security I'm sure. Meanwhile, in Bloomington, the endowment is just shy of a billion. That's right, with a B. $955 million makes it one of the top ten endowments in the country. No wonder they can contribute so much to the Baron Hill campaign. Bring on higher tuition so the students can start their careers with mountains of student loan debt. When they pay it off in twenty years they can contribute to the endowment.

Anyone remember seeing those green bumper stickers that were all the rage ten or fifteen years ago? They simply said "Build the Bridge." Now we all knew what bridge they were referring to - the east end bridge. Indiana had enough forward thinking to build 265 right up close to the river, because everyone knows that is where the bridge will be. Fast forward to 2008 and nothing has really changed. Countless environmental studies and design votes have taken place. Indiana has identified the houses it will remove and started the process of removing them. Kentucky has rebuilt one ramp on the Snyder. Yawn. Let me tell the 8664 guys one thing. I could care less if they remove it from the riverfront or not. It never should have been there in the first place. But, we all know that we definitely need and east end bridge. So let's get started already. And by the way, Mike Sodrel was blasted for even considering a toll to pay for the bridge. Now the democrat leaders in Kentucky say it is the only way to get it done. Wow, now that's full circle. We can get it done without the toll, just take a look at how other states have gotten it done. Either way, can we just start building it already? And does anyone know where I can find one of those green bumper stickers?

Christian Roots - Conservative Branches

My upbringing and unwavering faith in God have attributed to my view of the world as a whole. I consider the book of Proverbs to be the book of wisdom for daily life. Proverbs 6 provides examples of what God hates, yes it says hates, and also a fantastic story of an ant.

Proverbs 6:6-11 (The Message) You lazy fool, look at an ant. Watch it closely; let it teach you a thing or two. Nobody has to tell it what to do. All summer it stores up food; at harvest it stockpiles provisions. So how long are you going to laze around doing nothing? How long before you get out of bed? A nap here, a nap there, a day off here, a day off there, sit back, take it easy - do you know what comes next? Just this: You can look forward to a dirt-poor life, poverty your permanent houseguest!

I understand there are those that simply cannot, and that is what welfare was meant for. I understand there are those that won't, and that is a shame.

2 Theselonians 3:10b If a man will not work, he shall not eat.

Back to Proverbs, in chapter 6, verses 17-19 explains the things God hates. Haughty eyes - being proud
Lying tongue - enough said
Hands that shed innocent blood - life is sacred and a gift
A heart that devises wicked schemes
Feet that are quick to rush into evil
A false witness who pours out lies and a man that stirs up dissension among brothers.

I know there will be some of you that will twist these words and remove them from their context, but it will not move me.

My earlier posts explained my views and here is the basis. Give Caesar what is due him, but love thy neighbor as thyself. Take care of the widows and orphans, for this is the true religion. This is our responsibility. Do not shed innocent blood. Life comes from God and is not up to us to end it early.

Now that the left side of New Albany knows my theology, let's talk policy. I will try to the best of my ability to stay on topic, but no promises. This faith is woven into me. I expect the comments to be plentiful and heavy handed, so bring 'em on.

Reinventing the Conservative Movement

There has been much talk lately about the Republican Party splitting if certain individuals gain the nomination. There has also been grumblings of the old guard retiring and fresh blood moving the party in a more modern, progressive direction. This will not happen no matter who is the nominee and shouldn't happen no matter the age of the Republican leaders. I am a conservative first and a Republican second in my political mind. The conservative movement has always stood for certain ideas that were not to be compromised. Following are few of those.

A strong national defense - peace through strength. This does not mean being policeman of the world. It does mean standing up for freedom and democracy in the world.

Smaller government through less taxes - The main purpose of the government is to provide for the national defense (see the first point). This nation has slowly evolved into a nanny state that resembles a socialist government in eastern Europe. We fund departments, employ special prosecutors by the hundreds, redistribute wealth and waste money like we actually have it in government.

Grow the economy with real incentives - When businesses retain more of their funds, they can actually hire more people and grow the business, thus spurring the economy into real long term growth (see the second point). Tax rebates in an election year? Who would have ever guessed it? We all know that businesses don't really pay taxes, they simply pass them on to the consumer. This point brings me to the next.

Implement a fair tax - Now it doesn't have to be a flat tax or a national sales tax, but it has to be a simpler, more fair tax. The tax code in America is impractical and outdated. It's bad enough that we pay so much in taxes. Add to it a couple hundred dollars to prepare them and you have insult to injury.

Strong commitment to the Second Amendment - It's not about hunting or target practice. It is a freedom that our founding fathers knew must be kept alive for the democracy to survive. We need to reaffirm our stance that gun control laws only hurt law abiding citizens.

The most important conviction is our stance on Life - We must make it known that over 40 million babies have been aborted since Roe v. Wade and we are still fighting for the innocent. We believe in the right to life from conception to natural death, period. We value life as a gift from God, whether there are disabilities or nursing home stays. We will not settle for the situation as it is or turn our backs and say we have done all we can do.

The Conservative movement is alive and well in the real America. An America where people get up and go to work and take responsibility for ourselves and our families. We don't expect or need government to interfere with our lives because we can do it better ourselves, thank you very much. Let's return to our grassroots and remember what got us where we are today. I don't like talk of a remodeled Republican party and with courage we can restore our conservative values to it.

Let Me Run This One Up The Flag Pole and See If Anyone Salutes It

Thanks again Mil for passing this jewel along.

She's no Margaret Thatcher

Cartoon by Pat Oliphant