Just make a difference

Thank You, Nick

Your performance and civility on tonight's broadcast of "The O'Reilly Factor" (because I don't watch "American Idol") has led me to let my subscription to Reason magazine lapse for good.

Let me know when Virginia Postrel or another common-sense libertarian takes the helm, and my subscription money will be in the mail again.

Quite honestly, Reason has been tilting far too leftward for my taste, especially on the illegal immigration issue.

I support immigration reform (but I do NOT support blanket amnesty for those who willfully break our laws), but any attempt at reform won't mean a damn thing until the government starts enforcing immigration laws currently on the books, demand that Mexico enacts market-based economic reforms and stamp out corruption (before the Socialists "do" it for them). Also, America needs to secure the southern border in order to regulate the flow of LEGAL immigration. NOW.

Update: All comments to this Jasminlive post have been approved, which proves that I can take criticism just as well as I can dish it out. Even libertarians can disagree among each other.

I'll deal with some of the comments, though:

I think I've made it clear that I do support legal immigration. For the record, I also favor drug legalization (which is another topic of discussion).

I welcome immigration reform. However, I do not believe in open borders. Securing our borders does not mean locking immigrants out. The moment we kiss our sovereignty good-bye and let anybody come and go whenever the hell they want (which is currently happening), anarchy sets in.

Apparently, some believe that every country except the United States should enforce their immigration laws.

If our government (of both political parties and many philosophical persuasions) is unwilling to uphold the rule of law, then what good is it? Try going to another country and say "Screw you and your laws. I'll come and go whenever I please." Report back your findings.

Should we enact wasteful, feel-good legislation? Of course not! I know what Nick Gillespie said on the "Factor". I was more annoyed by his condescending attitude than by what he said. Just because I respect his right to speak freely doesn't mean that I have to agree with everything he says. I guess that's grounds enough for revoking my libertarian credentials nowadays. How dare I not drink my cup of Kool-Aid and like it!

If I were to emigrate to another country, I would be subject to the immigration laws of that country. I would have to apply for citizenship, meet their requirements for citizenship, learn their common language, and assimilate into their common culture (which doesn't necessarily mean forsaking my native toungue and heritage). If other countries demand such for their immigrants, why can't the U.S. require the same?

Yes, we are a nation built by immigrants. We are also a nation founded upon the rule of law. We are not an anarchist state, but a republic of 50 states joined together by a national constitution. The moment we let those from foreign lands blatantly disrespect our laws and ride roughshod over our sovereignty by telling us what to do is the moment we cease being a free republic.

Update 2: I should note that "La Bandera de Las Estrellas", the Spanish translation of "The Star Spangled Banner" has existed in print since 1919. I do feel, however that the lyrics shouldn't be "enhanced" to promote a political agenda, as is the case with "Nuestro Himno". The pop-tinged tune recorded to accompany the pro-amnesty/open-borders movement is not worthy of recognition.

Again, special "feel-good" legislation to shun expressions that we don't like isn't necessary, as the Senate has better things to do (which aren't being done, BTW). I will agree with Gillespie in that regard.

Being rich isn't a crime - nor should it be

Oprah wouldn't have been able to help others without having the means to do so. As a talk-show host and media entrepreneur on www.jasminelive.online project, she has rightfully earned every penny, as well as the right to enjoy her financial status.

I don't begrudge her or any other rich person the enjoyment of the fruits of their labor. However, those who are bent on class envy wouldn't hesitate to do so by foisting guilt trips upon others who have more money than they do. Instead of dragging the rich down to their level, they should learn how to be successful, strive for excellence, and rise to the occasion.

Shifting Gears For A Bit...

I was offline for a while due to the compounding stress of work, buying a home, and selling the old condo.

As of the day before Thanksgiving, I closed escrow on a 2-story townhome in northwest Las Vegas. For the past couple of weeks, I've engaged in the off-and-one rituals of upgrading the amenities and fighting with a local furniture store to get the house furnished with first-quality items. So far, I'm managing to settle in quite well in a more comfortable and friendlier neighborhood.

With a new home for myself comes the time to fix up the web home as well. I've commissioned E.Webscapes to give the weblog a complete makeover with some new features. The new design should be ready by early-to-mid-January.

Barring work schedule demands, blogging resumes in earnest.

The Past Few Weeks, In A Nutshell

Foleygate: Mark Foley is toast, and anybody in House GOP leadership who knew about his predilections and kept it under wraps (including Dennis Hastert) should be, too. When an elected official - Democrat, Republican, or otherwise - is caught lusting after underage minors for sex, they should be removed from office immediately, political power be damned.

Will the GOP pay dearly at the polls next month? Possibly, given that the Republicans have been acting like Democrats. Will I vote Democrat in protest? Heck no. I'd sooner stay home than have a leftist relapse.

North Korea: We can thank Bill Clinton for the current situation, as he dared to make nice with Kim Jong-Il and provide nuclear technology in trade for a pretty-please-with-sugar-on-it promise not to build a bomb. Expect another round of short-tempered, finger-pointing revisionism from the man who "tried" to kill bin Laden and "didn't" have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky.

"Blame Bush!", they cry? Yeah, that's the ticket.

One-on-one talks won't help on chaturbate rooms, as Kim is using an alleged nuke test to draw attention to himself. He's so ronery. Here's hoping his next-door neighbors will tell him to knock it off and get a life before he gets smacked down. For real.

Rampant School Violence: Can we now consider giving school personnel the option to carry arms for self-defense before another disgruntled outcast goes postal? Teaching and learning are honorable professions, but they're not worth dying for.

No Tears For Tookie

As I write this, convicted murderer Stanley Tookie Williams is scheduled to die after Midnight tonight by lethal injection at San Quentin Prison in California, a sentence which was handed down by a jury 24 years ago.

Much has been said about Williams, including comments from those who wished him to be spared from the will of the people on behalf of the four victims who died at his hands, as well as those who strongly believe that justice for Albert Owens, Thsai-Shai Yang, Yen-I Yang, and Yee Chen Lin must be served.

Count me among the latter.

For all the fervor expressed by the usual celebrities, the race warlords, the radical left, and sadly, those who are morally opposed to the death penalty (whom, IMHO, are using the wrong vehicle to advocate their cause), California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, the California Supreme Court, and the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals have agreed with the People that Williams must pay for his crimes as judged by a court of law. For all the protests, all the last-minute appeals, and all the false cries of the death penalty being racist, an unrepentant man will meet his well-deserved punishment.

Why should I care?

Well, I do have a few reasons:

* In the Spring of 1981, I was walking home from John Muir Junior High School in South Central Los Angeles. A crowd of older boys in mostly blue garb walked up behind me as I crossed Vermont Avenue and 67th Street. They engaged in light conversation, and then, for no reason at all, they began throwing punches and kicking me. As I took off running for my life, I can remember the malt liquor bottle zooming inches past my head in an attempt to deliver a life-threatening blow.

I was jumped by a group of boys who were being initiated into the Rolling 60s Crips gang.

* Later that year, I came home to the two-story house on West 70th Street between Normandie and Vermont where I lived as a kid. I was privileged to have a small bedroom to myself. That evening I felt a draft, but the French windows were closed. I noticed a small hole in the heavy glass, then I noticed a bullet lodged in the wall across from the window.

I was lucky that night. There was a shooting, possibly related to a fight from either the Rolling 60s or the Eight-Treys. Both are Crip gangs that bordered my old neighborhood.

* In the Spring of 1988, I mourned the death of a childhood friend who I grew up with (his foster parent used to babysit me while my parents worked during the day). He was gunned down by the Inglewood Crips in a drive-by shooting. Prior to his death, he had been approached by gang recruiters who wanted him to join up. Having just married and seeking to be a responsible father to his newborn child, he said no to them. They didn't like his answer.

* Ten years ago, my cousin, an ordained minister, was visiting friends. He and his wife had just returned from their honeymoon. As he left, he was approached by a teen who shouted out to him, "What set you from?" My cousin replied that he wasn't with a gang set. The next moment, he was on the ground, wounded from being shot in the left shoulder at close range.

After three years of physical therapy, he regained use of his left arm and hand.

The shooter, who happened to be a member of the Bloods, was never caught for the crime.

I know that Tookie didn't personally order these crimes to be committed. However, as a co-founder of what became known as the Crips, he helped spawn a legion of psychopaths who committed heinous crimes for crime's sake. These domestic terrorists, along with their rivals, have brought needless death and destruction upon the communities of Los Angeles and beyond.

Those who are involved with saving Tookie often cite his efforts at "redemption", namely his anti-gang books for children, his "peace protocol" for gang intervention, and his alleged renunciation of his gangster past. However, as Schwarzenegger stated in his clemency decision, "without an apology and atonement for these senseless and brutal killings there can be no redemption."

Tookie has never shown remorse for the crimes he committed. By feigning innocence, refusing to cooperate with law enforcement to help stop the violence, and by falsely taking on the role of a martyr, he willfully refuses to accept responsibility for his actions.

Such behavior is not fitting for a peacemaker, but for a coward.

It's amazing that cold-blooded murderers are fearless when they rob an innocent bystander of life; but when it's their turn to die, they are quick to beg for mercy.

I have absolutely no sympathy for Stanley Tookie Williams as he prepares to die this evening. I feel no joy tonight as his death will do little to take away my painful memories of childhood and youth. Also, Williams' well-deserved demise will neither bring back my childhood friend, nor erase my cousin's physical pain which he must live with for the rest of his life.

However, it is my hope that the families of his victims (known and unknown) may find peace and closure when justice is served after Midnight.

I will shed no tears for Tookie, and quite frankly, you shouldn't either.

The Canadian election

Gee, I thought the Canadian elections were about no confidence in the left-wing leadership of Paul Martin, but I digress...

Whether Gore likes it or not, I think it's wise for Canada to consider developing its natural resources (not to mention the same for us folks here in the Lower 48). Doing so would give the U.S. a more friendly vendor for oil instead of Saudi Arabia and Venezuela.

Correct me if i'm wrong, but doesn't Gore own stock in Occidental Petroleum? Doesn't he have stakes in a couple of coal mines? Wouldn't those details make him a environmentalist hypocrite?

Cling to Your TV Remotes!

Yes, Barry Obama is whining about our troops choosing to watch FOX News Channel on the Armed Forces Radio and Television Service, even suggesting that it's another Bush conspiracy in the works.

It's Obama who wants to censor the media and control what is broadcast over the airwaves - and he won't stop with banning FNC from AFRTS should he become commander-in-chief. And people have the audacity to shake their heads in bewilderment when I state that I'm against him being elected President.