Slow but Steady Wins the Race

Thompson is out. Giuliani is out. Huckabee and Romney will soon be out. But Ron Paul, the candidate everyone said had a snowball's chance in hell of winning, is still in the race.

Watch your back, McCain.

Mitt Romney Campaigns for Ron Paul...

...albeit unintentionally.

Mitt's arrogance during an interview with WWBA's Mark Larsen gives Larsen the final incentive he needs to vote for Ron Paul:

Predators in Uniform

A brave cop might run into a burning building to save a child. A really brave cop will attack a woman who is driving alone at night along a deserted rural road. J.D. Tuccille relates the harrowing details:

On Cornville Road, well before the populated area, Sheriff's Sergeant Jeff Neunum apparently tired of waiting for Roberts to reach a settled area. While he was, in fact, a police officer, he now proceeded to justify every fear an American may have about rogue cops. He raced his cruiser in front of Roberts's car, forcing her off the road. He then smashed her driver's-side window with his baton and grabbed a cellphone she was using to check his identity. Accounts vary at this point. While police deny it, the press has reported that Neunum dragged Roberts from her vehicle, threw her to the ground, and handcuffed her while driving his knee into her back.

All of this because she was going 15 miles over the speed limit on a deserted rural road.

What, no Taser? Officer Friendly must have forgotten his training.

Read the full account here.

The Sorry State of the Union

Our president has no shame. Does he really think we're that stupid?

After calling on Congress to help the economy with a convoluted stimulus package, to expand the government's reach into health care, to strengthen its role in education, to decide for businesses what constitutes free trade, to force Americans to reduce oil consumption and carbon emissions, and to engage in all sorts of other unconstitutional activities, he had to audacity to say that "we must trust in the wisdom of our Founders, and empower judges who understand that the Constitution means what it says." He then went on to promote his amnesty program for illegal immigrants and call for an expansion of the "war on terror," which he called the "defining ideological struggle of the 21st century" (whatever that means).

This president has no idea what the Constitution stands for. He thinks it's "just a g--d----- piece of paper." And this is the leader of the free world? No wonder the Union is in such a sorry state.

Obama Is Not the Candidate of Change

For the young, optimistic Democratic voter, Barack Obama seems like a breath of fresh air when compared to the stale, establishment candidate, Hillary Clinton. But James Ostrowski has Obama pegged: "I previously described Barack Obama as a Great Society liberal. Today, he was endorsed by the relic of that sad era, Ted Kennedy. Anyone catch the irony of Mr. Change being endorsed by the Kennedy clan, which has held power since the 1930's? Ted himself has been in the Senate since 1963."

Obama is every bit a part of what's wrong with this country as Clinton, Edwards, McCain, Romney, Huckabee, and Giuliani. There is, however, a real alternative to the establishment...

Ron Paul Campaign Progress Report

Debate Prompter?

Was Mitt Romney being coached by an off-camera voice during the last GOP debate?

Suddenly, his plastic, robotic appearance makes sense.

Support Ron Paul

In addition to donating to Ron Paul's campaign, you can also get involved by participating in a caucus or primary. Click here for guidelines regarding your particular state.

Victory in Iraq: It Keeps Going and Going and Going...

Charles Peña, in his latest essay, lists some of the opportunities when the U.S. could have declared victory in Iraq and handed control of the country back over to the Iraqis:

• In May 2003, after three weeks of military operations, President Bush declared "major combat operations in Iraq have ended" while standing in front of a "mission accomplished" banner aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln.
  
• In December 2003, Saddam Hussein -- the former dictator of Iraq -- was captured.
  
• In October 2004, the Iraq Survey Group reported that there were no stockpiles of WMD in Iraq.
  
• In January 2005, Iraqis had their first general elections to choose representatives for the interim 275-member Iraqi National Assembly tasked with drafting a constitution.
  
• In October 2005, the Iraqi constitution was ratified.
  
• In December 2005, a 275-member Iraqi Council of Representatives was elected -- marking the formation of a permanent, sovereign Iraqi government.
  
• In June 2006, the most wanted man in Iraq -- Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq and believed to be responsible for most of the suicide bombings in Iraq, as well as the execution of American Nicholas Berg -- was killed.
  

Yet there is still no sign that we'll be withdrawing troops from the region anytime soon. I guess when victory isn't defined clearly (or at all), it can go on indefinitely, and you never find yourself in the awkward and embarrassing position of having to concede defeat.

Ron Pwns Rudy...

...and Fred in Michigan.

Socialized Medicine: Because You Belong to the State

So, you really want "free, universal health care" here in the U.S.? Take a look at this story from Great Britain:

Gordon Brown has thrown his weight behind a move to allow hospitals to take organs from dead patients without explicit consent.

Writing in The Sunday Telegraph, the Prime Minister says that such a facility would save thousands of lives and that he hopes such a system can start this year.

The proposals would mean consent for organ donation after death would be automatically presumed, unless individuals had opted out of the national register or family members objected.

But patients' groups said that they were "totally opposed" to Mr Brown's plan, saying that it would take away patients' rights over their own bodies.

There are more than 8,000 patients waiting for an organ donation and more than 1,000 a year die without receiving the organ that could save their lives.

The Government will launch an overhaul of the system next week, which will put pressure on doctors and nurses to identify more "potential organ donors" from dying patients. Hospitals will be rated for the number of deceased patients they "convert" into donors and doctors will be expected to identify potential donors earlier and alert donor co-ordinators as patients approach death.

But Mr Brown, who carries a donor card, has made it clear he backs an even more radical revamp of the system, which would lead to donation by "presumed consent". The approach is modelled on that of Spain, which has the highest proportion of organ donors in the world.

Under socialized medicine, you are considered to be property of the state. And if you belong to the state, how long do you think it will be until they start harvesting your organs before you die? I mean, if taking one of your kidneys means saving the life of an important government official, what's to stop them doing it in the name of national security?

The Neocon Solution to Every Problem

From the AP:

President Bush had tears in his eyes during an hour-long tour of Israel's Holocaust memorial Friday and told Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice that the U.S. should have bombed Auschwitz to halt the killing, the memorial's chairman said.

Just let the irony sink in for a moment.

Another Confederate Flag Flap

Yes, believe it or not, there's another Confederate flag flap in the news. This time, the NAACP wants it removed from a businessman's private property.

Why is it no one is ever offended when someone flies the American flag? After all, slavery existed under that flag for 89 years (1776-1865) and under the Confederate flag for only four (1861-1865).

But I guess you can't please everyone -- especially when so many people seem to go out of their way to be offended by just about anything.

Tools of the State at Work for You (or Why Ron Paul Would Make a Lousy President)

Despite our president's best efforts to force all local schools to adopt arbitrary national standards, children are being left behind. And even with the increase in the use of Tasers against unarmed citizens, criminals are taking over our neighborhoods. At times, all seems hopeless.

Then, something extraordinary happens that restores your faith in both education and law enforcement. You may recall this story from a month ago:

A 10-year-old Ocala girl brought her lunch to school and a small kitchen knife to cut it. She now faces a felony charge after being arrested. The school and the sheriff's office disagree on the reason for the arrest.

School officials say the 5th grader was brown-bagging it. She brought a piece of steak for her lunch, but she also brought a steak knife. That's when deputies were called.

It happened in the cafeteria at Sunrise Elementary School. The 10-year-old used the knife to cut the meat.

"She did not use it inappropriately. She did not threaten anyone with it. She didn't pull it out and brandish it. Nothing of that nature," explained Marion County School Spokesman Kevin Christian.

But a couple of teachers took the utensil and called the sheriff. When deputies arrived, they were unable to get the child's parents on the phone, so they arrested her and took her to the county's juvenile assessment center.

"And we didn't handcuff her or treat her like a criminal. But we took her to the assessment center to be assessed," said Capt. James Pogue, Marion County Sheriff's Office.

What compassion! That's the nice thing about living in the Land of the Free.

I have to admire the courageous officers involved. How in the world were they able to apprehend an unarmed 10-year-old girl without tasing, handcuffing, clubbing, choking, and/or shooting her? They should all receive commendations for bravery.

The suspect, on the other hand, should be counting her blessings. According to a follow-up report, she's getting off rather easy:

After reviewing her school record and interviewing her, investigators with the Department of Juvenile Justice recommended that the State Attorney’s Office not prosecute the child. The attorney’s office agreed.

"She has an excellent school history, no disciplinary problems, good grades and nothing whatsoever to suggest she was a troubled child," Assistant State Attorney Ric Ridgway told the Orlando Sentinel.

The state, after all, isn't above showing mercy. Even hardened criminals like this elementary school student get a second chance.

But the main lesson to be learned here is that we are extremely blessed in this country. Our ancestors had it rough, what with all that freedom and responsibility. Today, we have a benevolent government looking out for our best interests. I mean, who needs parental involvement in schools when teachers are willing to do the parenting for you? Who needs to cower in fear behind that Thin, Blue Line when you can be suffocated by a Thick, Blue Blanket of protection?

Sleep well, America. The state has its best tools working for you! Remember that in November.

Executive Obfuscation

Bush will claim executive privilege in the CIA torture tape case:

President George W. Bush Thursday ordered White House lawyers to use claims of executive privilege to prevent senior White House aides from cooperating with the Justice Department's criminal investigation into destruction of videotapes that showed CIA interrogators torturing terrorism suspects.

White House sources tell Capitol Hill Blue that the claims of executive privilege are just "the first step" in a coordinated campaign to stonewall the investigation and prevent administration aides from giving depositions or submitting to interviews with Justice Department investigators.

Remember the days when government was transparent? Neither do I.

A Sneak Peek at 2008

In keeping with tradition, EverVigilant.net presents a glimpse at some of the news items we may have to look forward to in the coming year...

January: The Iowa Caucuses are upon us. People are excited about the upcoming primary elections, and school teachers struggle to get kids to learn where Iowa is on the map -- especially kids in Iowa. Well, come on, give them a break. It's a state that only gets mentioned every four years.

February: After struggling through a difficult season, the New England Patriots surprise everyone by winning the Super Bowl. "We're all shocked," quarterback Tom Brady says in a post-game interview. "With the record we had going into this game, we just didn't think it was possible. But we're living proof that miracles can happen."

March: Speaking of sports, "March Madness" is officially added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders as a legitimate illness. Sorry, wives, but the only cure is to just let your husbands get it out of their systems. Oh, yeah, and a couple chili dogs and a plate of nachos won't hurt, either. And could you bring me another beer from the fridge when you come back? Thanks, dear. You're the best!

April: It's tax time, and people send in their hard-earned money to Uncle Sam. Ironically, Ron Paul, who is campaigning on slashing spending, cutting taxes, and eliminating the IRS, raises more money in 24 hours than the government did all last year.

May: ABC announces its fall prime-time lineup. Among the shows making their debut later this year is Don't Tase Me, Bro!, a sitcom starring YouTube sensation Andrew Meyer.

June: True love triumphs! Britney Spears and Kevin Federline get back together. (Sorry, girls, he's off the market.) Naturally, their children are taken immediately and placed in foster care for their own protection.

July: At 232 years of age, America is only 232 years removed from the vision of freedom the Founding Fathers had for this country. That's cause for celebration, so tonight let's party like it's 1776!

August: Having invested millions of man-hours and billions of dollars in preparation for the festivities, China is finally ready, and athletes from around the world converge on Beijing for the 2008 Summer Olympics. "Uh, wait a minute," says one communist official. "Did you say Summer Olympics?!"

September: The 2008 Republican National Convention nominates Ron Paul as the GOP presidential candidate for the upcoming election. Frustrated, pro-establishment commentators Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity decide to endorse Barack Obama.

October: It's Halloween, and Al Gore would like to help parents combat global warming with a few inconvenient tips. He suggests fashioning your child's costume from recyclable material. For example, aluminum cans duct-taped all over a kid makes for a great robot. And teach them to say "Trick or organic treats that were produced locally and don't exploit Third World workers" when they ring the neighbor's doorbell. Let's all do our part to keep that carbon footprint to a size two or three, OK?

November: Election Day arrives. Ron Paul defeats Barack Obama in a landslide to become the 44th president-elect of these United States. Jim Robinson, founder of the neoconservative forum FreeRepublic.com, praises the result and posts the following message: "This is indeed a bright day for freedom-lovers everywhere. We FReepers stood behind Ron Paul all along, and it's great to see that all our hard work has finally paid off. By the way, anyone questioning me on this will be banned from ever posting here again."

December: Hey, Ron Paul won the election. I got what I wanted for Christmas. Here's to the holiday season and hope for the New Year. Cheers!