Do American's Really Care About Civil Liberties?

This didn't make headline news as far as I can tell. It was discussed on a local radio show. Politico.com is the source of the story and the major source talking about it. The only other sources I found talking about it upon a quick search were blogs that I don't follow.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0310/34097.html

Basically speaking Obama came out and supported a national database to store DNA of anyone arrested. Not those convicted of a crime, but those arrested. If the cops pulled you over and deemed you uncooperative or anything they feel like, they could arrest you and take your DNA and store it. Never mind that you didn't commit a crime nor had been charged. Even so are all crimes worthy of mandatory DNA sample?

Of course the argument is if we can save 1 person then it's worth it. And if you don't break the law you shouldn't worry about having a sample taken from you. Sure it starts there, but when you give them the right to take our DNA you are subject to corrupt politicians and law enforcement agents. Perhaps it is all well-intentioned in the beginning, but what happens 5 or 10 years down the road?

Over time we have given up much freedom in the name of safety. Look at 9/11 and the Patriot Act that resulted in the name of fighting terrorism. Perhaps it's only been used for legitimate terrorist threats, but perhaps some boundaries have been overstepped. Do you think the government is going to tell us?

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty or safety" Benjamin Franklin (1759)

It is seldom that liberty of any kind is lost all at once. David Hume (1711-1776)

There is danger from all men. The only maxim of a free government ought to be to trust no man living with power to endanger the public liberty. John Adams (1735-1826)

Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are ruined. Patrick Henry (1736-1739)

Liberty means responsibility. That is why most men dread it. George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950)

I'm just curious to know what you think? Do you think this is a big deal? Do you agree with it? Are you worried that 10 or 20 years down the road someone could come after you or your family planting your DNA on a crime scene either to get at you or because you won the unlucky lottery since someone was determined to pin a crime on someone. I know it sounds conspiracy theory, but how much liberty is too much to give up?

Your Tax Dollars Hard at Work During the Super Bowl

In case you were too drunk or weren't paying attention. 3rd Quarter at 2 minutes to go, give or take, there was a commercial paid for by the U.S. Census Bureau filled with celebrities. I realize that they were B level or below celebrities, but still recognizable. But we all know the expensive part of the commercial was that it aired during the Super Bowl...

Are you Pissed off yet???

Your Tax Dollars Hard at Work

Check it out...




Here's the link to the referenced report by CBS News

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/01/11/cbsnews_investigates/main6084364.shtml

In the grand scheme of things it might be a minor amount, but like the article says, every penny counts in an economy like this. Oh and if you bother to read the article, there's not one particular party guilty of the abuse. Remember politicians are equal opportunity offenders when it comes to spending your tax dollars. Whether they support or oppose something.

Contract From America

Check it out.
http://www.contractfromamerica.com/

"Welcome to the Contract From America initiative, where you can join your fellow Americans in a collaborative grassroots effort to create a document that offers real change in Washington, D.C. and the state capitals. This website provides you with the opportunity to offer your innovative free market, limited government solutions to our nation’s pressing problems and to vote and comment on the ideas of others. We believe that the result of this grassroots-generated marketplace of ideas will be a document that not only represents the will of the American people, but promotes unique ideas that will breathe new life into the economic conservative movement...."


Here's what you'll find on this website
*Information on Tea Parties in your area
* Suggestion for solutions that you can vote on and/or rate
*Opportunity to submit new ideas that don't exist on the any of the lists
*Basically speaking the opportunity to express your voice

You might be interested to know the top five vote getting ideas are
1. Implement the Fair Tax
2. Legislation shall contain no unrelated amendments
3. Congressional Term Limits
4. Abolish the Department of Education
5. Pass Nationwide Medical Malpractice Tort Reform

I agree with these 5 though I'm not sure they are all in my personal top 5. The Fair Tax and term limits definitely are. What do you think? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Check out the rest of the list and the site. I encourage you to voice your opinions. Even if you don't agree with me point for point.

Dogs vs. Cats

Are you a dog person, cat person, both, or neither. Believe i t or not here's an article on it.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,582375,00.html

I like any animal that will play with me.

Here's the purpose of my post today while I brush up on what political events to get riled up over. I occasionally need to take a break from politics to reduce the stress and frustration in my life.

Christmas is a ridiculously popular time to get the kids a dog. As the article states dogs are more high maintenance than cats in that most of them need exercise. All family pets need interaction. Here's my plea. Only get a dog if you as the adult are willing to take on the responsibility for it. Your kids will learn from you how to care for animals. Puppies grow up and aren't nearly as appealing once they get bigger and have been around for awhile. If you expect the kids to be the only or primary interaction with the dogs, they will grow tired of them as their attentions drift often. You have to take responsibility for including the dog as part of the family on walks, for play, and on outings.

A few months from now, shelters and rescues will start getting calls to take dogs that families weren't prepared to deal with. Dogs like me that have so much energy that they didn't plan on dealing with. Dogs that the kids grow bored with and keep neglecting that mom and dad didn't really want to begin with. Dogs whose owners don't know how to train and discipline nor do they want to make the effort required to raise good dogs.

My plea to you is...if you got your kids a dog, rethink who you got the dog for and commit to taking responsibility for feeding, exercising, and making your dog part of the family rather than complaining about what a nuisance it is. Teach your kids how to properly care for a family pet. They mimic you. If you neglect your dog, they will learn to do the same thing.

Happy new year and happy doggy parenting! I got a new treadmill for Christmas which my parents highly recommend to those of you with high energy dogs. I love it.

I'll return shortly with more rants and raves about what's going on in this world. I don't think I have to state the obvious failed terror attempt. Though if it ignited terror in the hearts of people without slaughtering tons of people, is it really a failed terror attempt?