John Taylor Gatto is a name that many individuals concerned with education will come across. He is the author of "Dumbing us Down: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling". He will be appearing at HENA (Home Education Network of Arizona) Conference at the ASU College of Education (Tempe, Arizona) the weekend of March 1st and 2nd. The registration deadline is February 15th, 2008.

Photo credit: melaniesage

In honor of all the blood, sweat and tears (or at least really hard work) put in by Ernest Hancock and Powell Gammill, I have added FreedomsPhoenix.com to the sidebar. I hope that if you haven't visited Freedom's Phoenix lately that you do so. It has great news with a sprinkle of critique added.

If there is one thing that the Libertarian Party is known for it is their desire to reduce government spending. The Arizona Libertarian Party is walking the walk as well as talking the talk unlike some other political parties of late.

ARIZONA LIBERTARIAN PARTY PRESS RELEASE
1/27/2008 Phoenix Arizona
## For Redistribution ##

Arizona Libertarians Save State Tax Payers $1,000,000.00

The Arizona Libertarian Presidential Preference Primary Election will take place from January 30th through February 5th, 2008. It will be conducted online using Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) with candidate information links. RCV allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference, better reflecting voter intent. The winning nominee must receive a majority of the vote not a plurality. All registered Libertarians are encouraged to study the candidate’s positions and participate. Voting instructions will be posted online prior to the election at http://www.lpelection.com

The Arizona Libertarian Party (AZLP) has statewide ballot status as a major political party. By statute, the AZLP was invited by the state to participate in the Presidential Preference Primary Election in which party members cast votes which are non enforceable upon the convention delegates. The AZLP decided to save Arizona taxpayers from this expense and hold the election as an internal party function. Independents who can't vote in a partisan primary should not be forced to subsidize an internal beauty contest.

For more information on this primary or Ranked Choice Voting visit http://www.lpelection.com or contact the Arizona Libertarian Party at 1-800-875-7369 or in Maricopa County at 602-595-5451.

Would you buy a used car from this marketplace? The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) can tell you a lot about how the US economy is doing. From this graph I would have to say that the US isn't doing too well. Is this because the US government is overspending? Is this because the US government is overtaxing? Is this because the "leadership" of the Republican Party and Democratic Party have absolutely no clue what to do to avert a partial collapse of the domestic mortgage lending industry? Is there anybody who knows that the solution is to unleash the creative energies of the people and businesses of the USA? There is. His name is Ron Paul and he is running for president. I hope enough people out there will learn about his position on overspending and overtaxing.

Monday night I went to Scottsdale Road and Cactus to wave my Ron Paul for President sign. Little did I know that the Ron Paul limo was coming to Scottsdale. I had a fun time talking with the driver while the limo was in Scottsdale (about 90 minutes or so) before it had to go back to the Phoenix Ron Paul Grassroots Headquarters. There are apparently a few videos of the limo on youtube.com with one of them showing Ron Paul signing the limo while it was in Texas.

The photo you see wasn't from its Scottsdale visit but I am sure you get the idea.

Photo credit: Pong God

Could I live with a Linux laptop? I will have to save up before I can afford one but the Asus EEE PC sure looks nifty to me. If you would like to learn more, click on the icon of the green laptop above.

Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows ME (Millenium Edition), Windows 98, Windows 95. All these operating systems, produced by the Microsoft Corporation, are good tools. All of them can be brought low by opening one piece of software or going to the wrong website.

It is not a given that buying Windows Vista is any complete solution to the problem of computer crackers.

I would say the easiest solution would be to sell that Windows computer and buy your self a Macintosh (or if you can break out of the box, an computer that runs an Open Source operating system..

If ever I was doubtful about the existence of happy tax spenders in the Arizona legislature, this video clearly disabused me of the notion. Arizona Federation of Taxpayers has several other videos of the Adventures of Wally the Wallet and his compatriots.

It has been quite some time since the US has been a shining example for the rest of the world. One tarnish on what should be our shining example is Guantanamo prison camp. Recently 80 people chose to get themselves arrested at the US Supreme Court building to let the powers that be know that "We the people" are unhappy with the governments soggy toast support for The Bill of Rights.

I have met a number of people with passion, with competence and with the driving interest to educate and entertain the public. One of those people is Victor Aronow (this is him on the far left) who industriously works to advance the cause of Arizona Community Media Foundation so that Arizona can have a bit more choice when it comes to broadcast FM radio stations.

His group will have a benefit concert on Friday, February 1st in Scottsdale. For details, visit the AZCMF web site: www.azcmf.org Do it now.

We are supposed to believe that Ron Paul came in 5th in New Hampshire. We are supposed to believe that John McCain, Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee and Rudy Giuliani all garnered more votes than Ron Paul in New Hampshire, reportedly the freest state in the US.

Think again.

Mention Benjamin Franklin and most people would think of two things, his kite and the fact that he was one of the founding fathers. Recently I received a missive from the National Center for Constitutional Studies (which has one of the better pocket US Constitutions) offering suggestions on how to better ourselves and our families. They offered several suggestions from the mouth of Benjamin Franklin. As they publish a book titled "The Real Benjamin Franklin" I can't think of a better group to offer suggestions.

Photo credit: jepsculpture

Considering the ever increasing amount of privacy invasion going on in the corporate arena, the need for this device, the "Armadillo Dollar" can only increase.

http://www.armadillodollar.com/

I went to the Republican party legislative district 17 meeting at the North Tempe Multi-Generational Center. The meeting started on time, proceeded apace and was a pleasure to attend. Mayor Hugh Hallman (electhugh.org) was present and even though he has no opposition on the ballot, asked for our vote of support. He also recounted his efforts the educate the members of the Tempe City Council on the need to hold the line on increasing our property tax. He reports, as has been in the news for a great many months, that the Maricopa County real estate valuations have been soaring and that unless the rate at which property taxes are reduced that property owners in Tempe will be dunned for 30% more via their property tax bills unless the property tax rate is reduced.

He reports that Council members Mark Mitchell and Shana Ellis have a particular challenge in understanding the priciple that when A (the valuations go up) and B (the tax rates are left unchanged) then C (the tax bill is going to go up).

He reports that Tempe City Council candidate Julie Jakubek understands this basic concept of multiplication. I hope to contact her campaign tomorrow and find out how I can assist in the effort to elect government officials who understand multiplication.

Do most people research and decide for themselves who to vote for? I rather lean towards no on that question. Most people allow the media formerly known as mainstream and a few ads on the day before the election to decide for them. I would rather people use a useful tool or consult with some educational material (the internet preferably) than rely on "the TV".

I took a test using GotoQuiz.com for the 2008 Presidential election. These are the candidates and how much they think I agree with.

86% Ron Paul
71% Fred Thompson
68% Mitt Romney
66% Tom Tancredo
65% Mike Huckabee
59% John McCain
42% Bill Richardson
40% Rudy Giuliani
31% Mike Gravel
31% Chris Dodd
28% Barack Obama
26% Dennis Kucinich
25% John Edwards
24% Hillary Clinton
20% Joe Biden

What? No Libertarians ?!?

2008 Presidential Candidate Matching Quiz

Of those candidates in their system, I would personally rate my preferences as:

Ron Paul
Bill Richardson
Dennis Kucinich
Mike Gravel

as the rest of them think that the US government needs to continue its occupation of Iraq (and in McCain's case for 100 years).

as the system doesn't include Christine Smith, Steve Kubby, Jim Burns or George Phillies.

The Goldwater Institute has produced 100 ideas for the new year and I just love idea #2. "Allow private companies to assume the full responsibility of promoting Arizona as a tourist destination by eliminating public funds for the Tourism Authority." The government of the State of Arizona is facing a $1 billion budget deficit.

I think zeroing out government funded advertising for tourism is a great idea (let private business advertise, they know best where the best return on investment is - government doesn't). I hope my state representatives David Shapira and Ed Ableser give this some serious consideration.

The wonders of Wikipedia are many. A visual can add a lot to an article. The latest edition of the Wikipedia Signpost has a section called WikiWorld with a visual version of an article about John Lasseter.

Time passes by and with it the attention of the media. Luckily there are some group whose attention is more focused than most. One of them being the Citizens Commision on Human Rights. A friend recently offered me the opportunity to watch one their video "Psychiatry: An Industry of Death" at his home. It tells us of the now historical actions of the pharmaceutical drug industry to insinuate themselves into American society. I certainly want to take advantage of modern drugs, when truly necessary. However, I am plenty cautious of their serious and sometimes deadly side-effects. Caveat emptor.

I'll admit that I had my doubts when Ernest Hancock started throwing out the term "the media formerly known as mainstream". Ron Paul's campaign has made me a believer. What TV station news from Des Moines, Iowa would I have access to given that I can't afford [or choose not to pay for] cable or satellite television? I do choose to purchase a high speed internet connection through Cox Communications and I look forward to Ron Paul's Veterans for Paul event. Streaming internet television - what an achievement.

read more | digg story

Who would Jesus bomb? Good question.

Looks like three people chose to be arrested rather than quietly allowing Mike Huckabee's war mongering to continue without protest.

The best part, in my opinion, is where Mike Huckabee's campaign bus drove away rather than even attempt to respond to the protestors questions. I am told that Mike Huckabee was in the bus. I guess the questions scared him away.

read more | digg story

Who was Benazir Bhutto? I wish that was a real question. Unfortunately US government interventionism has created a Pakistani government that is at odds with the people of Pakistan. Why is the US taxpayer extorted to support President and General Musharraf to the tune of $700 million dollars a year (that they will admit to)? Why-why-why?

Right wing finger puppet says "I believe that Government officials Assemblyman Mark Leno, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris and San Francisco Police Chief Heather Fong want to prevent the public from defending themselves. Are they afraid that the peaceful residents of San Francisco, California might wish to defend themselves against criminal activity with a firearm they might purchase at a future gun show at the Cow Palace (originally known as the California State Livestock Pavilion)? The Cow Palace indoor arena is actually located in Daly City, California, bordering San Francisco."

Left wing finger puppet responds, "Naw, they just want to make sure that that visitors to the San Francisco Zoo understand that they would rather have someone killed by a wild tiger than allow people to own firearms for their lawful self-defense. Tigers and criminals will never be hampered by "illegal gun" over-enforcement, only those law abiding individuals who are prevented from arming themselves due to the chilling effects of autocrats like Gavin Newsom."

Voice from the back, "Perhaps they should work a bit harder on tiger control before they continue with their efforts on victim disarmament (e.g. gun control)."

BTW, the next Crossroads of the West gun show at the Cow Palace is January 19th and 20th in Daly City, California. If you print out this coupon you can obtain $1 off the price of admission.

read more | digg story

These are two superkalifragilistic music videos from Kim Grannis, a singer-songwriter from Austin, Texas.

Going by his last email to supporters Democratic Party candidate Bob Lord apparently thinks all he needs to do is repeat "I am not John Shadegg" enough times and people are going to magically forget that the Majority Democrats in the House have done as poor a job in advocating for the taxpayers as those congressmen who lost their seats in 2006. John Shadegg was not among them. Bob Lord needs to start articulating what he believes in rather than what he doesn't believe in. Bob Lord claims that we the people are hungry for change but I fail to see what the change is that he is promising to bring to us (other than more status quo). I do know is that Bob Lord apparently failed to ask for a speaking slot at the Arizona Federation of Taxpayers annual luncheon . I didn't see Bob Lord at the podium extolling limited government (perhaps he had a table in the back). John Shadegg did a very good job letting the audience know that he knows what America wants (less government). Perhaps Bob Lord was too busy repeating "I am not John Shadegg" to ask.

P.S. Bob Lord, no matter your spin on Mr. Shadegg's fund raising, opensecrets.org shows you as $125,000 behind.

P.P.S. Bob Lord, you might want to take a look at fellow candidate (AZ-3 Independent) Annie Loyd's web site for some ideas. I can tell what her position is on the ongoing Iraq occupation and I think that is a good thing.

Why Ron Paul Scares Terrorists

3,895 dead US soldiers later is anyone ready to ask "Is it time to get out of Iraq?"

I watched the initial take-off of the Ron Paul blimp. On one side of the blimp are the words "Who is Ron Paul?" with a subtitle of "Google Ron Paul" and I am told the other side shows "Ron Paul rEVOLution"

That is a very good question to ask: http://WhoIsRonPaul.name/

A few questions people should be asking:
Where is the John McCain blimp?
Where is the Rudy Giuliani blimp?
Where is the Mitt Romney blimp?
Where is the Mike Huckabee blimp?
Where is the Tom Tancredo blimp?
Where is the Duncan Hunter blimp?

and lastly... Where is the Fred Thompson blimp?

And should you wish to know exactly where the Ron Paul blimp is, take a look at the map.

Online photo editing. Today I wanted to reverse a photo and I couldn't find a program in my Macintosh that would do that. I tried three online photo editing web sites before I found phixr.com. Yea!

Should you wonder who the folks are at top right - they are the band World Class Thugs of Phoenix, Arizona.

No amount of country music and pans to Chuck Norris is going to make Mike Huckabee into anything but what he is, one more status quo, tax hike loving, indefinite Iraq war occupying Republican.

http://whoismikehuckabee.name/

I went to the monthly Maricopa County Libertarian Party meeting earlier today. Jim Burns was invited to address us. He is running for President of the united States and is seeking the nomination of the Libertarian Party. He asked all us us to visit his web site at JimBurnsForPresident.com. I was favorably impressed with what Mr. Burns had to say about the need for 34 united States Senators to prevent impeachment. I asked him where he was based out of and he said "Las Vegas" which I assume to mean Las Vegas, Nevada. He told us that he would be criss crossing the united States spreading the word. After the meeting wrapped up I shook his hand and and wished him safe travelling.

If you were to meet Mike Muckabee, What would you ask Mike Huckabee?

Dietary Vanadium - good or bad for you?

I recommend consulting with a health professional before taking any nutritional supplement.

Power to the people.

Rudy Giuliani is running for the office of President of the united States of America. Who is Rudy Giuliani?

This is a post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Rich Woman - Financial literacy for women. Today I was asked about the book Rich Woman: A Book on Investing for Women - Because I Hate Being Told What to Do! by Kim Kiyosaki. I didn't know much but I do know that everyone, including women, should educate themselves on personal finance. Education is power. You can see Kim Kiyosaki's latest video on her web site.

Lately I have been thinking about the Boy Scouts of America. In my earlier days I was a cub scout and I think I got up to wolf or bear. In my morning walk I took the time to pick up a few pieces of litter, business cards in this case.

Is the charity Bush Clinton Katrina fund (.org) a good thing? My first impression is that it is not, but please read up on them and decide for yourself. If you have anything to say, good or bad, please put a comment and tell us your story.

This is what I did this morning. I got up, took a bath, brushed my teeth. I had slept all the way through till past noon. I had broken two pledges. I was supposed to visit a friend and also give a ride to a friend of a friend. I felt bad. My first friend doesn't have a telephone so I hope she will forgive me. I hope acquaintance Mr. Y. will forgive me. I hope I can find Mr. Y's phone number so I can ask for his forgiveness as well. In any case I was ready for the day. I ask my nephew (his name is not John) if he wants to go on a walk. He says OK. I get my keys, hand Not John a empty food container with plastic pieces in it, turn of my light and get ready to go. I lock the door behind us. Not John has a baby baseball bat. I have on my lyme disease education program wrist band on my left arm. So we start off and I start telling him a story about a lady in New Hampshire. I say

There was this lady in New Hampshire and she was driving somewhere and the police stopped her. The police officer walked up to the lady and asked the modern day equivalent of Your paper's please.

TO BE CONTINUED.

1st Question: Why Did Ron Paul Give Up on the LP?

Answer: Courtesy Christine Smith.
2nd Opinion: I would ask Ernest Hancock.

2nd Question: Why is the Libertarian Party the only principled choice?
Answer: I would ask Barry Hess

Today I feel Zen.

The folks at Slatecard.com have a cool tool. It is limited to Republicans. How long will it take to find one for Libertarians?

If you enjoy watching ABC's "The View" and you want to learn more about Ron Paul the candidate for President, these two video clips will help. The first is 10 minutes, the second is 9 minutes. The first is Rosie O'Donnell and co. discussing Ron Paul. The second is Whoopi Goldberg and co. *with* Ron Paul discussing his positions on all the important issues.

In the battle for ideas, mindshare and money you can find some awesome clashes. Christine Smith of Colorado (Libertarian Party) is battling Ron Paul of Texas (Republican Party) for mindshare (and the rest). The debate floor is the campaign for President of the United States. If you look at the Googlebattle between these two contestants you will find that Christine Smith is currently the underdog. Who will prevail? I don't know.

It looks like John McCain's pulse is doing much better than assumed by Blog for Arizona back in April. After watching the CNN Youtube Republican Presidential debate last night one thing that I have to give kudos to John McCain for is his unequivocal and dogged defense in favor of decency (e.g. absolutely, positively no torture). Mitt Romney sadly was not able to 2nd the vote in favor of decency and instead repeatedly defended the pro-Bush position that the water cure AKA water torture AKA waterboarding is OK.

In the hustle and bustle of reading emails from Bob Lord crowing about how much money he is raising and how much he is not (repeat not) John Shadegg it is easy to overlook the fact that there are more than two announced candidates for AZ-3. Michael Shoen is running as a Libertarian Party candidate. I couldn't produce his web site and I won't attempt to summarize it. I encourage you to visit his campaign web site as well as the great news site that helped me remember that sometimes there *are* more than only two choices: freedomsphoenix.com

H/T to wikipedia for their article on 1984's Inner Party.

John Trasher, Democratic opponent to Trent Franks (AZ-2), says the US Army should leave Iraq... eventually. I wonder how many US soldiers and innocent civilians will die in the meantime. I predict that voters will fail to be inspired enough to put stamps on their absentee ballots for Mr. Thrasher unless he learns to turn up the VOLUME and the inspiration. Quiz for Mr. Thrasher: The US Army should be located and defend which country A) Iraq, B) Kuwait, C) South Korea, Japan and Germany or D) None of the Above?

As requested, I get a steady stream of email from Bob Lord, Democratic candidate for Arizona district 3. So far it appears that he is running a John Kerry for president 2004 campaign. Most of what I remember from the 2004 presidential campaign era is the meme "Anybody but Bush". Mr. Lord's meme of choice seems to be "I am not John Shadegg". I imagine for some positions, like Shadegg's opposing more government health care, this angle is sufficient. I am still hoping that Mr. Lord will add some positions and press releases that state what *he* believes in rather than casting himself as the anti-Shadegg. Hint, hint: there is the little matter of the ever-ongoing US occupation of the Iraq that you might want to mention sometime soon. Bringing American troops home to protect America is a rather popular position.

Just a reminder, "Anybody but Bush" didn't win. "I am not John Shadegg" is not a winning campaign slogan.

In case anybody wondered what happened to The Libertarian Enterprise. Two lives down, seven to go. And if you haven't read the fine libertarian comic Roswell, Texas, please do.

When is a picture worth a thousand words? or even $97.4 million dollars. When it comes to crony capitalism within the City of Phoenix, it continues apace. Why do we need to subsidize development in Phoenix? Luckily voters in Phoenix have a principled candidate running for Phoenix City Council District 3, James Iannuzo.

Mitt Romney, gun control cheer leader or Mitt Romney, protector of the second amendment? Will his support of the right of self-defence disappear as quickly as his web site article on the second amendment?

Of course, it looks like someone has already done a fine job of documenting Mr. Romney's history on that boogeyman "the assault weapon".

And while Mitt Romney's Second Amendment page is 404, Ron Paul's page is here and shows what someone who really trusts the people would do to repeal unconstitutional gun prohibition in the US. Or you could read Ron Paul's own articles about firearms.

JPFO Founder and Gun Owners of America Founder Speak

To me nothing goes to show who relies on emotional and illogical arguments than the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence and its VidiVoice.com campaign with comedian Lewis Black as its lead celebrity. Using the three videos I watched from their "Speaks Out!" series, not a one had its comments enabled. I did a search for youtube.com videos from the Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership (JPFO) and the very first video I watched had comments enabled. It seems like the JPFO isn't afraid of someone commenting on their video but the trust always in government rules crowd doesn't want to risk that someone might get any viewpoint or comments but their own. I'm not afraid that a rational thinking person might learn something from "the opposition" but apparently the gun control advocates are.

Huckabee Wins, Paul Loses.

In absolute terms, absolutely so. Mike Huckabee should be rightly proud of his campaign's achievement in Ames, Iowa. Ron Paul came in fifth with 1,305 out of a total of 14,302 votes (9.1%) in the Ames Straw Poll.

Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee has a fantastic statement about why the people should support the Second Amendment limitation on the government. If only he didn't support the horrid Fair Tax (and the continued indefinite occupation of Iraq by the US Armed Forces) he might be worth considering.

Luckily there is a candidate who supports the right of the people to defend themselves against crime and oppressive government, Republican Ron Paul from Texas.

Ron Paul's position of freedom is uncompromising and in a environment where many claim that compromise is key I find that to be quite inspiring. 9.1% in the straw poll means that there is still plenty of work to be done to advance the Ron Paul for President campaign to the winner's circle. I'm not afraid of a little hard work and one less than glamorous turnout in one poll isn't going to dampen my enthusiasm one bit.

This is the source of the picture.

I plan to be listening to the Smith vs. Kubby debate on The Liberated Space. I imagine that I will learn something new. I spoke with candidate Christine Smith recently. I imagine she will have something good to say. I believe that Steve Kubby will share some wisdom as well.

Free speech vs unfree school. Nobody knows how this will pan out but it sure does remind me of Penn Jillette's chiquita banana story. I am so happy that there are people out there with guts.

Supposed documentary "SiCKO" opens in US theatres yesterday and my father went to see it. BoingBoing.net complains that Google.com offers businesses who would be squashed by universal government medicine the opportunity to counter Michael Moore's socialist propaganda. What is BoingBoing afraid of? That someone might have a chance to hear a little truth?

"This might hurt a little." - Michael Moore

You aren't kidding

APCW Reports: Jon Kyl ~ American Patriot

One man's opinion of Jon Kyl. Is it any wonder why so many people ask "Whose Senator is he?"

Freedom is Popular

Ron Paul in Kansas City, Missouri. Is it any wonder why people get excited about Ron Paul?

In 1992 an article was posted, copied from a newsletter, reportedly written by Republican Ron Paul, congressman from Texas and candidate for President of the United States. The article characterizes black people as prone to commit crime, among other points. It has since been brought up by newspapers and quite a few web sites and blogs. I've taken the time to note a sampling of these articles. If you should come across one of these articles and desire to obtain a definitive answer to the question "Is Ron Paul a racist?" please research the issue and then read Ron Paul's words. I have faith that the average person can reach a conclusion in Ron Paul's favor.

An up or down vote today on decamping Iraq (well - eventually), HR 2237 failed with a vote of 177 in favor of leaving and 255 in favor of staying.

Some of those in favor of leaving Iraq:

Raúl Grijalva (D)
Ed Pastor (D)
Ron Paul (R) [from Texas]
Dennis Kucinich (D) [from Ohio]

Some of those in favor of more of the same (stay in Iraq):

Harry Mitchell (D)
Gabrielle Giffords (D)
Jeff Flake (R)
John Shadegg (R)
Trent Franks (R)
Rick Renzi (R)

The picture above was sourced from here per this license.

Can one man with an inspiration change the world? Perhaps that is the only thing that can.