LaDona Harvey chatted with SoCal Tax Revolt Coalition President Dawn Wildman on her show about the now-crushed bill. Click HERE for a hilarious and informative chat between two dynamic women.

As Lipstick Underground notes, this victory came without the help of any national-level organizational assistance. It is truly the work of Californians, by Californians, by Californians.

In light of the news, as a suggestion to BDaddy for the Weekend Chill, I offer this:

Though this has been scraped, Mark Meckler reports the news that our Democratic State Controller John Chiang reports our state is totally out of cash. We Californians have our work cut out for us.

The SLOBs have diverse opinions as to who would get their votes of the four remaining candidates. While dialoging with the Shrine’s Spartan contributor, Barry J., I realized he was expressing a lot of the same sentiments Horemheb had. So, the post today will be Barry’s thoughts as the doors to Florida’s voting booths are opening for a thrilling primary.

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The “Bad Boy” vs the “Safe Choice”

With the Republican Primary contest reaching a fever pitch, I find myself in a similar position to the teenage girl asked to the Prom by two very different guys:

The first is one my heart wants, the exciting-but-dangerous “bad boy”. The other, the nice “safe guy”, who my head (and my mother) tells me is the right choice.

Let me start by saying, for purposes of clarity, that I have never been a teenage girl. Nor am I gay. Either way, I have never had a crush on another man; nor had one ask me to the prom.

But, metaphorically and politically, the analogy works.

Newt scratches an itch many of us intellectual and articulate conservatives have for a candidate who can go toe-to-toe on a debate stage with the best the Democrats can throw against him. I loved George W. Bush. But I often found myself cringing as he tried to explain, in his inelegant way, the foundational core beliefs of Conservatism in clumsy, declarative sentences. It didn’t help either that he spoke English like it was a second language!

Newt articulates what many of us conservatives and traditional patriots believe. That America is exceptional among the nations of the world. That the Democrats and the Left in general seem reconciled to American decline. And that our distinctive American culture is under unrelenting assault from the Left and needs to be defended if we are to remain the “last best hope of the world”.

So many of us are tired of Republican politicians who seem either embarrassed or unable to defend conservative ideas or principles; or are simply intellectually incapable.

So at one level, we find ourselves cheering Newt, who can defend conservative principles effectively; even if he hasn’t always lived them. He can trumpet our values and articulate brilliant solutions, even if some of the dozen-a-day ideas that come out of that pumpkin-sized head appear a bit wacko when carefully examined…

But all that said, I don’t think Newt can get elected.

Which brings me to Mitt.

Yes, he lack sizzle. His ideas are as handsomely bland as is he. But he has one over-arching virtue: Mitt can win.

Beating Obama in November is going to take more than having someone who can get in a zinger or two against him in the coming debates. It will take someone who won’t frighten the children or the independents. Independents, currently disenchanted with the man in the Oval Office they supported enthusiastically four years ago, are the key to the election. As much as the “muddled middle” irritates us politically active guys on the wings, they hold all the power come November. And they are ready to be won over by anyone who seems a safe alternative to Obama.

So, perhaps a bit wistfully, I’m not going to the prom with Newt. I’m using my head and going with the safe guy.

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I wanted to let Barry know that is OK if he has a Bro-mance. I completely own several girl crushes.

Update: Lipstick Underground has identified her girl crush as well.

Note: Introduced in February 2011, Tuesday is the deadline for passage of SB 810. According to CalWatchDog: Surprising many supporters, SB 810, authored by San Francisco Democratic Sen. Mark Leno, didn’t get enough votes even from his own party to pass the “Medicare for all” bill. Perhaps the projected $250 billion annual cost of the government-run healthcare system weighed heavily on the minds of lawmakers.

DESPITE THIS FACT, DAWN HEARS THEY ARE STILL LOOKING TO GO FORWARD ON A VOTE BEFORE THE DEADLINE!!!

*** This Bill outlaws private health insurance in California.
*** It will create at least 20 new CA Government agencies.
*** Bureaucrats will decide which treatment if any you receive for illnesses.
*** It will cost the taxpayers of California $250 billion dollar to start this bureaucratic nightmare.

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CITIZENS ACTIVISTS RESPOND TO RESURRECTED CALIFORNIA SINGLE PLAYER PLAN

San Diego, CA – The SoCal Tax Revolt Coalition (SCTRC) is joining other Tea Party groups throughout the state in organizing a citizen “call to action” in order to stop the passage of California Senate Bill 810 “The California Universal Health Care Act of 2009”. It seems that California’s legislators are more interested in resurrecting an unpopular monster of a bill, as a previous version (SB840, SB 840 – “Medicare for All”) was tabled after it became the focus of protests from Californians concerned about the loss of choice and quality medical care.
Tea Parties throughout the state are informing their membership an anticipated vote on the reworked “Single Payer” plans in SB810 is slated for Jan. 31, 2012. Citizen activists are providing contact information and encouraging citizens who do not want a massive bureaucratic injection into personal healthcare choices to make their concerns known to California’s legislators.

**********************************************************************************************************************
The following statements are issued by specific group coordinators:

Dawn Wildman, SCTRC President: “This bill goes even further than the Obamacre bill to taking away yet more liberty for the citizens of California. And the boondoggle of this at $250 billion dollars is even more offensive to a cash strapped state as California. When will the ruling elite in Sacramento understand that the mere mortals, the taxpayers, are tired of funding their utopia?”

Leslie Eastman, SCTRC Media Director: “I am incredulous that with the implementation of Obamacare looming on the horizon, which supposedly offers healthcare solutions applicable to the entire country, our legislators are imposing something similar at this time for just our state. Why not see what issues arise with the national version first, instead of creating “fixes” out of whole cloth? SB810 provides no solid funding mechanism; the only way to implement it being the addition of more state public employees when we can’t afford the ones we currently have. A state-only plan will inspire even more Californians to flee this state – and those Californians tend to be the employers actually providing workers with health insurance plans. At least with Obamacare, the impacts affect all states equally badly.”

Sarah Bond, SCTRC CEO: “Massachusetts already has a state-only plan – Romneycare. It has been a dismal failure. The plan’s premise that “universal coverage” would force everyone’s healthcare costs down also is far from being realized. In fact, about one-third of Massachusetts residents said that their health costs had gone up as a result of the 2006 reforms and their spending on medical programs is 27% higher than the national average. Clearly, SB810 is not a cure for Californians already burdened by excessive regulations and a very high cost of living.”

Connie Lanzisera, Orange County Tea Party organizer: “Isn’t it suspicious that we haven’t heard anything from the private insurance companies in protest to SB 810? It makes me wonder, what are we missing? The private insurance companies would have everything to lose if this bill passes and yet total silence on their part.”
**********************************************************************************************************************

The following Senators have been identified for contact, in order to urge a “NO” Vote –

Christine Kehoe (Chair) DEM 916-651-4039
916-327-2188
senator.kehoe@sen.ca.gov

Mimi Walters (CoChair) REP 916-651-4033
916-445-9754
senator.walters@senate.ca.gov

Elaine Alquist DEM 916-651-4013
916-324-0283
senator.alquist@senate.ca.gov

Bill Emmerson REP 916-651-4037
916-327-2187
senator.emmerson@senate.ca.gov

Ted Lieu DEM 916-651-4028
916-323-6056
senator.lieu@senate.ca.gov

Fran Pavley DEM 916-651-4023
916-324-4823
senator.pavley@senate.ca.gov

Curren Price DEM 916-651-4026
916-445-8899
senator.price@senate.ca.gov

Sharon Runner REP 916-651-4017
916-445-4662
senator.runner@senate.ca.gov

Darrell Steinberg DEM 916-651-4006
916-323-2263
senator.steinberg@senate.ca.gov

Senator Michael Rubio (Fresno/Bakersfield area)
Email: Michael.Rubio@sen.ca.gov
Phone: (916) 651-4016

Senator Alex Padilla (Pacoima/LA area)
Email: Senator.Padilla@sen.ca.gov
Phone: (916) 651-4020

Senator Juan Vargas (San Diego area)
Email: Juan.Vargas@sen.ca.gov
Phone: (916) 651-4040

Senator Rod Wright (Los Angeles area)
Email: Senator.Wright@sen.ca.gov
Phone: (916) 651-4025

California has the second highest state unemployment rate; unemployed people tend not to have health insurance. The best way to achieve employment this is to encourage business growth. According to the Tax Foundation, California’s 2012 business tax climate ranks third worst in the nation. Additionally, California is already a generous state, in terms of benefits. For example, one in five people in Los Angeles County already receive public aid. As demonstrated in other states, allowing more people a “free ride”, in terms of healthcare coverage, will not reduce costs. These costs will be passed down to all Californians.

Adding a new layer of bureaucracy, which is intended to decimate private insurance options and direct people to government-run health-care, is not the direction our legislators should be heading. When people are the budget, it works only to harm the people our politicians are obligated to serve. We would be better served by representatives who would focus on allowing the free market to work properly.

Sincerely,

The co-founders of the Southern California Tax Revolt Coalitions:

Sarah Bond
Chief Executive Officer

Dawn Wildman
President

Leslie Eastman
Media Director

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UPDATES:

A big THANKS to Mark Meckler — Across the Fence, for spreading the word! Check out – California’s Insane Governing Class Shoots for a $250 Billion, Single Payer Health Care System Outlawing Private Health Insurance. He notes:

I know many of you find it hard to care about California, but you should. If California completely crashes, it will drag the rest of the nation with it. Unfortunately, while it’s not “too big to fail,” and certainly shouldn’t be bailed out, it is too big to go down the drain without consequences for the rest of the country.

A big thanks, too, goes to Lipstick Underground — who will be on the LaDona Harvey show today to discus SB810.

I also appreciate Beers with Demo’s link, and direct you to his Brewer-Obama photo caption contest entry. It is golden.

B-Daddy expands on Roger’s WSJ piece on the mythology associated with Global Warming.

In the above video, it sounds like he wants to be part of the “Beer Summit” we SLOBs hold regularly!

West’s congressional district inexplicably sheds the most out support as compared to all other incumbent Republican and Democrat Congressman. A few weeks back we quoted an unnamed legislator saying that, “Allen West was screwed”, a statement which was originally made about made five months before the purposed maps were made public, leading insiders to believe that the fix was in against Allen West. But in light of Weatherford’s comment, it is increasingly clear that this is a fait accompli.

The comments at Legal Insurrection essentially say that since this action seems to have been done by The Republican Party of Florida members who support Romney, then Romney will not be getting their votes come the November election.

As one of my Tea Party heroes, Kevin Dujan, one said: You can either get mad or get active. Personally, what I think is more useful is FIGHTING FOR ALLEN WEST RIGHT NOW!

1) Donate to Allen West.

2) Contact the Republican Party of Florida.

3) Contact the Mitt Romney campaign and let them know the depth of your ire.

Allen West disappears only if we do not fight for him. And if we don’t, then we deserve the ensuing badness.

Remember, we citizens have a mighty sting!

1) The Scorpion Queen. Tammy Bruce reports that after Arizona Governor Jan Brewer’s confrontation with Obama on the tarmac, sales of her book (Scorpions for Breakfast) rose 2.2 million percent.B-Daddy reports that the SD Rostra had a “caption this” contest for the now iconic picture; below is my entry:

Check Hillbuzz.org to see why this caption works out so well.

The consequences of the Brewer-Obama confrontation have been so negative on Team Obama that the President had to do damage control essentially using this time-tested argument: “Who are you going to believe, me or your own lying eyes”.

2) Rebel Scientists Plainly Reject Faith-Based Global Warming Science.Many of you may recall my piece featuring the lecture of premier American scientist Roger Cohen. Scientists Challenge the Fraud and Emotionalism Behind CA’s Cap&Trade Rules

Left Coast Rebel then went on to feature Roger’s work in a premier Daily Caller series:
Global warming lies, damn lies and easy rebuttals

One of the biggest lies, and there have been many, about global warming is that there is “universal consensus”. Well, Roger and 15 other scientists have written a Wall Street Journal piece that debunks that falsehood, and hits several other prevarications as well. This piece for nationwide attention yesterday, as it was featured on the Rush Limbaugh Show. Here is my favorite part of this fantastic piece:

No Need to Panic About Global Warming: There’s no compelling scientific argument for drastic action to ‘decarbonize’ the world’s economy.

Candidates should understand that the oft-repeated claim that nearly all scientists demand that something dramatic be done to stop global warming is not true. In fact, a large and growing number of distinguished scientists and engineers do not agree that drastic actions on global warming are needed.

3) Florida Tea Party Groups Endorse Newt Gingrich. Legal Insurrection has been following the Florida primary carefully, and notes with increasing disdain the coordinated attacks on Gingrich from the establishment GOP.

As the Media Director for SoCal Tax Revolt Coalition, I can tell you from personal experience that most independent Tea Party groups are loathe to endorse a specific candidate — especially at the national level and especially with a such flawed candidate. However, the awful tactics implemented against Gingrich by the elite in the establishment GOP has generated exactly the kind of backlash that I thought it would. The elites in the Republican party have undermined Romney among grassroots citizen activists. Add this to the fact that the Florida Attorney General said Romney will be bringing Romneycare to all 50 states, I can’t see how a tea party participant can do anything else but vote for Gingrich at this point.

This bit from KT Cat puts it all in perspective: Mitt Romney Is Driving Me Out Of The Republican Party

And this chestnut is for any Palinista out there: Video of Newt defending Palin during VP candidacy.I will note that Newt’s vigorous defense of Palin in 2008 came at a time when the elite GOP Beltway types were running away from her.

4) Californians are organizing against SACRAMENTO STUPIDITY. Californians have recently been treated to lots of inane, new legislation from Sacramento. Mark Meckler has an update on the citizen-pushback on the proposed expensive and useless high-speed train: If Gov. Brown is Seeking a Legacy, Let’s Build a Statue Instead of $100 Billion High Speed Rail Project. Beers with Demos also has more updates.

Sadly, it seems the walls of sanity have been breeched in another area: California Votes to Mandate More Electric CarsI suspect a lot of green-based crony capitalism is occurring, and I plan to explore Brown and the Democratic Legislature’s financial connections to this work in the future.

Jerry Brown: Green-Dog Democrat.

The SoCal Tax Revolt Coalition (SCTRC) is joining other Tea Party groups throughout the state in organizing a citizen “call to action” in order to stop the passage of California Senate Bill 810 “The California Universal Health Care Act of 2009”. It seems that California’s legislators are more interested in resurrecting an unpopular monster of a bill, as a previous version (SB840, SB 840 – “Medicare for All”) was tabled after it became the focus of protests from Californians concerned about the loss of choice and quality medical care.

Tea Parties throughout the state are informing their membership an anticipated vote on the reworked “Single Payer” plans in SB810 is slated for Jan. 31, 2012. Citizen activists are providing contact information and encouraging citizens who do not want a massive bureaucratic injection into personal healthcare choices to make their concerns known to California’s legislators.

The following representatives have been identified as people who should be contacted so that a “NO” vote can be urged.

Christine Kehoe (Chair) DEM 916-651-4039
916-327-2188
senator.kehoe@sen.ca.gov

Mimi Walters (CoChair) REP 916-651-4033
916-445-9754
senator.walters@senate.ca.gov

Elaine Alquist DEM 916-651-4013
916-324-0283
senator.alquist@senate.ca.gov

Bill Emmerson REP 916-651-4037
916-327-2187
senator.emmerson@senate.ca.gov

Ted Lieu DEM 916-651-4028
916-323-6056
senator.lieu@senate.ca.gov

Fran Pavley DEM 916-651-4023
916-324-4823
senator.pavley@senate.ca.gov

Curren Price DEM 916-651-4026
916-445-8899
senator.price@senate.ca.gov

Sharon Runner REP 916-651-4017
916-445-4662
senator.runner@senate.ca.gov

Darrell Steinberg DEM 916-651-4006
916-323-2263
senator.steinberg@senate.ca.gov

Senator Michael Rubio (Fresno/Bakersfield area)
Email: Michael.Rubio@sen.ca.gov
Phone: (916) 651-4016

Senator Alex Padilla (Pacoima/LA area)
Email: Senator.Padilla@sen.ca.gov
Phone: (916) 651-4020

Senator Juan Vargas (San Diego area)
Email: Juan.Vargas@sen.ca.gov
Phone: (916) 651-4040

Senator Rod Wright (Los Angeles area)
Email: Senator.Wright@sen.ca.gov
Phone: (916) 651-4025

THERE WILL BE MORE ON THIS CALL TO ACTION MONDAY, SO STAY TUNED!!!!!!!!

5) My stinging rebuke to Democrat Bob Filner. I had the privilege of having an email read by LaDona Harvey yesterday during the 4 pm hour: CLICK HERE FOR THE PODCAST. Her topic — Why San Diego Democrats aren’t going for Bob Filner for Mayor.

My main points:

a) I am a Democrat who is focused on fiscal responsibility and sensible spending for needed government services. This makes me a “Blue Dog”. Bob Filner said at a Coffee Party meeting a couple of years ago that Blue Dogs such as myself should be kicked out of the party. Apparently, unless you are a foaming anti-capitalist, abortion-supporting, statist he thinks you have no place in our party.

b) 2) His most recent act as Congressman was to sign onto a Reasonable Profits bill for the oil industry, which would have bureaucrats deciding what qualifies as excessive — and the tax rate in these profits could be as much as 100%. This is exactly the sort of attitude I want kept away from San Diego. I could seeing him going after local breweries for “excessive profits” because they charge too much for a gallon of beer. This attitude directly threatens the success of businesses and the fiscal security of families belonging to Democrats, Republicans, and all other Americans.

c) He is a crony capitalist himself. Just Google “Southwest Airlnes” and “Bob Filner” sometime to see what type of perks and benefits he directly enjoys at the behest of a single company.

d) Filner staffers think California Belongs to Mexico. No, at least not since 1846.

You can always tell the nature of a person by the surrounding personnel. I want Filner’s staffers nowhere near any office that can significantly influence this city.

I went onto make a further point: I am the co-founder of the SoCal Tax Revolt Coalition, the San Diego Tea Party group comprised of truly independent Californians and passionate citizen activists. While our group is not likely to give a formal endorsement, as we tend to support legislation and not specific candidates, I can tell you directly that most of the membership I interact with regularly all back Carl DeMaio. Our team of bloggers will be following Carl, and given the fact that he is the only one with truly innovative fiscal solutions to or economic problems AND he directly challenged the unions when they ran that hideous “petition signature fraud ad”, I can assure you our coverage will be supportive.

****************************************************************************************
In conclusion, in homage to my favorite female politician in office today, I say: I AM WOMAN, FEEL ME STING.

You know, I might be A-OK with a brokered convention: JAN BREWER FOR PRESIDENT 2012.

*****************************************************************************
UPDATES!

A big thanks to Mark Meckler, for considering me someone sane who offers “consistently great blogging” — I am delighted and humbled.

Dear Readers: I have the pleasure of introducing a new contributor to the Shrine: Barry J. of Temecula. He is, like myself, a historian. Unlike myself, he can totally handle weapons; I met him while he was leading the Spartan Warriors team during the Young Prince’s “Deadliest Warriors” camp. In fact, he was the fight coordinator and demonstrator for the SpikeTV show episode featuring Spartans.

I was thrilled to chat with him for a few moments after camp, as I relish meeting someone who enjoys ancient history. While I remain an avid ancient-Egyptophile, I must admit that the Spartans would totally open a can of whup-a$$ on Pharaoh’s armies. But, during our conversation, we realized that both of us closely follow current events. Barry J. opines regularly on Yahoo Groups Political Talk and the Facebook version of the group.

One of the threads he authored was entitled: What Became of “Real Men”? A hard question asked by a man who knows the honor, valor, integrity and strength shown by men through history. I wanted to share the dialog I had with him on this subject.

To start with, I would like to offer an example of the Spartan opposite. That is, a petulant man-child who scolds one of the most dynamic women in the country because she hurt his feelings: Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer, Obama have intense exchange on tarmac

My Hero and the Man-Child (hat-tip AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer came to greet President Barack Obama upon his arrival outside Phoenix Wednesday. What she got was a critique. Of her book. The two leaders could be seen engaged in an intense conversation at the base of Air Force One’s steps. Both could be seen smiling, but speaking at the same time. Asked moments later what the conversation was about, Brewer, a Republican, said: “He was a little disturbed about my book.” Brewer recently published a book, “Scorpions for Breakfast,” something of a memoir of her years growing up and defends her signing of Arizona’s controversial law cracking down on illegal immigrants, which Obama opposes.

After reading this, I can totally understand why Barry J. is concerned about the state of manhood in this country. His thoughts on this matter are below, which are then followed by my more optimistic take (as woman, a fellow historian, and a citizen activist):

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BARRY J.:Cruise Ship Disaster Raises Question: What Became of “Real Men”?

Is chivalry dead?

I am going to just be honest here, and say that I am sickened by men today.

As a man raised by a WWII veteran with a strong sense of chivalry, I am disgusted with what today passes for manhood. So many are mere shadows of men just two generations ago. Our military service members excepted, most men aren’t fit to carry the water of the “Greatest Generation”, my father’s generation; much less the Knights of the Age of Chivalry.

Where are the Gary Coopers of the world?

I was reminded of this by what we saw happen on the Costa Concordia. That men on that sinking cruise ship elbowed women and children aside in their frantic scurry onto the life-rafts, is just the most obvious example of the decline in chivalry, and… Well, just plain manhood! As life boats arrived on shore, aid workers were expecting to see lifeboats filled with women and children coming off first. Instead, they saw lots of burly men and a handful of well dressed wives and gal-pals!

How things have changed in the 100 years since the Titanic catastrophe.

On Titanic, women and children boarded the life rafts first; and the crew strictly enforced that. The captain was the last to leave the ship, and that after all lifeboats had already been launched. As Rich Lowry recently observed, “Capt. Edward Smith told his crew: “Men, you have done your full duty. You can do no more. Now it’s every man for himself.” One witness recalled seeing him, probably washed overboard, clutching a child in the water as the Titanic disappeared. A member of the crew always believed it was Captain Smith’s voice he heard from the water after the Titanic was gone, urging him and others on: “Good boys! Good lads!”

How different that is from the Costa Concordia captain, who along with other young brutes, apparently launched himself and his Moldavian 25 year old girlfriend into one of the lifeboats early on, elbowing women and children aside.

Today the cry of, “women-and-children first”, has become “brutes and their bimbos” first!

Young men just don’t seem to respect women. They don’t seem to respect much of anything. I see it every day in the way men treat their women. Or any woman, or the old, the young, or the infirm. The only thing they hold in esteem seems to be what hangs between their own legs; and what they can do with it.

Men today are a bunch of pierced, tattooed, slovenly louts! Not “men”: they are “manlings”! Boys that never grow beyond their toys.

A beautiful 29 year old acquaintance of mine complains that her husband spends much of his time at work (in his parents Real Estate business) playing online poker. Then comes home and plays X-Box most of the night!

Not a man, a manling.

But women must accept at least some of the blame for modern man’s deplorable lack of character!

Its women, after all, that raise men (often without men in the home). Its mostly young female teachers that teach our boys in their most formative years. And its women who accept and give themselves to “manlings” such behavior and reward it by going out with and marrying such cretins…

Were women to demand that the men in their lives not treat them like slutty sex objects; but instead commit to them and family before mating, than more boys would have male role models in their lives.

Were mothers to raise boys to be gentleman with a sense of honor, they would grow up into men those mothers could be proud of.

Feminist politics, Political Correctness, and (most importantly) lack of male role models has left this generation of men with no clue how to behave as MEN!

When the ship is sinking, and no one is there taking charge, wouldn’t it be nice if men were made of the same stern stuff the men aboard the Titanic were; when women and children really did come first, and men went down with the ship?

That’s my rant…Here is Rich Lowry’s insightful take on it!

The Titanic went down, they say, to the strains of the hymn “Nearer, My God, to Thee,” as the band courageously played on. It lent a final grace note to the tragedy. Today, we don’t do grace notes. We’ve gone from “Women and children, first,” to “Dude, where’s my lifeboat?” As the women of the Costa Concordia can testify, that’s a long way down.

***************************************************************
MUT: Women Still See Heroes

While several points you make are valid, I am much more optimistic than you. I would like to share why.

Firstly: Chivalry is not dead. In the Costa Concordia tragedy, the Hungarian entertainer who died actually saved several children, before going back to try and retrieve his violin(non-musicians may not appreciate how expensive and treasured a specific instrument can be). This man was a hero; the fact the Captain was not should not take away from this fact. Also, the Filipino crewmembers and staff were extremely brave.

I am currently arranging for a presentation for my son’s class from “Chivalry Today“. I can tell you that children still love the examples of the local heroes, and long to hear stories of real valor. I am sure many parents, such as myself, are encouraging these lessons.

Secondly: Gender feminism really sucks.

I agree that gender-equity feminists have really hurt women, our culture, and the quality of life for many in Western society. You can listen to me rant sometime about the coarseness of rap lyrics, the hideousness of current fashion, and the lies spread about women’s reproductive potential in later years — and that represents a small portion of the disdain I hold for gender feminism.

The conversations on this subject I have with my 1st-generation-feminist, bra-burning, spiritualist, beatnik-inspired mother can be absolutely hilarious.

However, I think much of the root cause of our travails is the fact “Big Government” has taken the place of the “Pater Familias“. In Italy (the country of Captain Coward), for example, the restrictions of big government socialist program has lead to grown men being unable to move out of their parents home and start their own family. The government-imposed employment restrictions were probably a major reason this obviously incompetent boob still had his prestigious job.

However, citizens are pushing back. Italy has its own Tea Party movement, and I was privileged to speak at event in Florence. I have good hope this trend will be thwarted.

Plus, some of my current male heroes are working hard to make individual responsibility and smaller government possible in this country! Instapundit has a link to a great interview he did with Tea Party Patriot’s national coordinator, Mark Meckler.

Thirdly: It is the human condition that the oldest generation despairs of the youngest.

I can’t imagine what the grandparents of powedered-wig/tight-pant wearing young men would have thought. However, these
powedered-wig/tight-pant wearing heroes founded our cherished Republic.

I would also like to point out that, like the women of Sparta, American women are also able to open up cans of whup-a$$. For example, as Lipstick Underground notes, about 80% of the local tea party groups were started up by women. There are tons of examples of American female moxie.

In fact, I am ordering the Kindle version of “Scorpions for Breakfast” today.

B-Daddy took one for the team last night, watching and live-blogging this State of the Union Address. Some of the lies and half-truths he noted:

Pretty sure his proposal for a minimum tax on international corporations would violate treaty and generally accepted accounting principles.

Took credit for Ford’s success? Last I checked, they weren’t bailed out.

Taking on China? Who do you think you owe all that swag to?

Charles Caesar expands on this topic with his post: Obama Lies About Creating 3 Million Jobs.

Left Coast Rebel features video proof that 2012′s speech is a 2011 retread:

Left Coast Rebel also has a great write-up on the proper Tea Party stance to take, in terms of the GOP primary. It is excellent: The Limited-Government Movement Deserves Better Leadership

In other Tea Party News, Mark Meckler discusses the bogus charges brought against him by bureaucratic buffoons, related to his declaration of carrying a weapon during transit through New York City (aka “Hell’s Toilet”).

It’s time to stand for self-governance. It is time to stand for the plain meaning of the Constitution. Every word of the Constitution is important, and we must fight for them all. We must fight for every inch of this country, from the inner city to the smallest rural town. We are, all of us, first and foremost, American citizens. We’ve always governed ourselves…and we always intend to. And we’ve always been willing to stand when freedom is at stake. It is time to stand…time for all of us, every race, every religion, every gender, every American to stand up and fight for liberty and take responsibility for governing ourselves.

Shane Atwell has a thoughtful post on why “Right to Work” is a band-aid; Beers with Demo covers the elites making economic dictates on an international scale at the deluxe resorts in Davos, Switzerland. Our SLOBs come up with better policy at the local pizzarias!

In heroic Blue Dog Dem News, a couple of irate Dem law-makers in Sacramento are bringing suit because our Democratic Controller John Chiang docked law-maker pay for failure to make a budget in a timely manner — per a Democrat-sponsored proposition that passed. Chris Reed has more on this tasty story: Q: What best describes Dem lawmakers’ pay lawsuit? A) dumb B) doltish C) despicable D) all of the above

I’m going with D.

Finally, a link to KT Cat’s Cheezeburger of the day, because I like vampires and cats!

Today, we take a look at the adventures of Tea Party Patriots President, Jenny Beth Martin. During a very muddled interview after the South Carolina primary, Martin said: ”A Newt win is a win for the Tea Party”(Hat-tip, Lipstick Underground).

Charitably, I will assume she meant this in the sense I expressed yesterday: Three victors for three voting events in three different states means that people are NOT taking top-down orders and that grassroots activism is compelling candidates to work aggressively for support. However, it is most disconcerting that she could not express the concept more succinctly so it didn’t seem like a Tea Party endorsement of Newt. Click on Lipistick’s link above, so you can watch the video and judge for yourself.

There is no “tea party candidate” — and this is something I have been careful to highlight during every interview I have been privileged to give. Here is an example of the GOP Primary diversity in our blogging group, the SLOBs:

W.C. Varones: Paul supporter — Ron Paul stunning 24% second place in New Hampshire

KT Cat: Gingrich supporter — It’s Over When Chuck Norris Says It’s Over

B-Daddy: Romney supporter — Electability

And I am sure their opinions, and yours, are open to some change depending on how the candidates handle the next several voting events. I am sure of only 2 things, in terms of Tea Party voting.

* They will NOT vote for Obama.
* They will NOT vote for Jeb Bush.

Beyond that, I cannot say.

As a Democrat, one of the hardest things for me to watch during the Tea Party process has been how the elite conservative punditry has knocked the stuffing out of the campaigns of the non-designated candidates. It is difficult seeing my Republican friends so disappointed by their former heroes. For example, one of conservative punditry’s most glittering icons, Ann Coulter, went ballistic on Newt Gingrich after his win in South Carolina.

Gateway Pundit has the rant: Ann Coulter Even Manages to Pi$$ Off Bill O’Reilly After Her Unhinged Tirade Against Newt (Video). For example, Coulter said this about South Carolina voters:

Republicans aren’t a mob, you’re not supposed to go for the guy with the glib cheap shot.

As Shrine Friend Patriot76 notes: No, we’re just supposed to buy books with titles that are glib cheap shots!

MUT Prophecy: Ann’s next book won’t be selling quite as vigorously as her others. When you get your panties in a wad and insult your customer base, chances are high that your customers won’t be supporting future efforts.

That’s how the Goddess of Capitalism rolls:

Speaking of Patriot76, here is the continuing dialog that is the inspiration behind this series:

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Patriot76: How was Tea Party leadership decided at the National level?

I can only somewhat answer that question, as I am not a business major. However, I think as donations poured, so that tea party networks could be established and its ideals promoted, the initial organizers who were well-connected and experienced became those national leaders. Also, when you incorporate, you have to designate a President (in the case of the SoCal Tax Revolt Coaltion, Dawn Wildman) and a CEO (ie., Sarah Bond). Happily, I merely opine, so I was tagged “Media Director”. With the larger-scale model, like Tea Party Patriots, there is a board of directors, but I assume it is a combination of many factors that make up the designations. Because of her tireless work and great organization of California, Dawn is part of national leadership. I can personally attest to how hard Mark Meckler has worked to promote Tea Party Patriots. However, I am not as familiar with the rest of the upper tier – yet.

In other words, there is no “tea party election”. People are assigned to the roles they either want or are willing to have, as long as the people in charge of the funding agree.

Patriot76: The answer to the previous question will answer this question, “How are TP leaders removed?” And if the cannot be then the fact is that any national TP organization that becomes an arm of the GOP (or the Dems), will ruin the name and integrity of Tea Party.

I think the essay has answered your question: Remove the funding, and the national organization ceases to exist.

A year ago, I might have thought this was a bad thing. However, I have come to the conclusion that real citizen activists, who wish to truly do public service, are currently more focused on local and state matters. So, it is now my opinion the largest Tea Party structure should be statewide – rather like a Tea Party application of the 10th amendment.

That is, unless the national organizations remove blatant partisan connections and the top-down policy approach and become the networking agent that they originally were.

Making statements that are seeming endorsements of highly flawed candidates is not a step in the right direction. Bashing voters who do their civic duty by voting, just because you don’t like their decision, is totally wrong-headed. Americans have now learned to value their opinions and ideals MORE than those offered by our supposed betters.

Truly, the usual rules no longer apply.

As a reminder, the basis of this series is a discussion I had with Shrine friend, Patriot76. Inspired by KT of the Scratching Post, I offer this as my theme graphic of today:

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Patriot76: So the Tea Party organizers became the leaders because they organized the event?

It was a combination of factors: The experience organizing, the time they volunteered, their natural charisma, their ability to do media well. The more they could organize, the more of a leadership role they played.

However, there is only one true Tea Party Leader.

I kid. The real answer resides in “The Starfish and the Spider”: The Unstoppable Power of Leaderless Organizations. There is none, if a group is honest and fully non-partisan. Essentially, a tea party group naturally coalesces around issues that are important to them and candidates who express their values. There do not need to be issued policy statements.

Patriot76: And then local TP organizations gravitated toward one another to form larger TP groups?

Yes and no. I think the first year, people were inspired to go big, like the Washington DC Tea Party. But, over time, I think individual Tea Party groups are returning to state and local focus – and I personally think this is better and more sustainable.

But I fear a lot of Americans are returning to the pre-Tea Party days: Donate a few dollars to a national group, write a few comments on a favorite blog site, and be done. If we want working Constitutional Republic, we all have to pitch in and become more involved.

Interestingly, Newt Gingrich’s win in South Carolina has alleviated some of my concerns. With the conclusion of 3 primaries with 3 different victors, I sense each state and local region is vetting and assessing each candidate based on their concerns — and they are not heeding the top-down policy dictates of the Washington DC crowd.

I also like the fact that the primary season will be extended, so that Team Obama can’t target one specific person for the full media Monty. As a former Obama campaign staffer is currently under arrest for the identity theft of a Republican Secretary of State, hoping to undermine the GOP’s hold in this office, there is no level too low for Team Obama to stoop. For a walk down memory lane for further proof, check HillBuzz and Hillary is 44.

As I said: I have no dog in this GOP primary fight. I also think that whoever is nominated by the GOP will have a real battle ahead, and that Tea Party members will often be more jazzed when supporting House and Senate candidates during Operation Counterweight. It is because all of the candidates from both sides suffer from an elite perspective. A great essay I came across explains this further: The New American Divide by Charles Murray.

People are starting to notice the great divide. The tea party sees the aloofness in a political elite that thinks it knows best and orders the rest of America to fall in line. The Occupy movement sees it in an economic elite that lives in mansions and flies on private jets. Each is right about an aspect of the problem, but that problem is more pervasive than either political or economic inequality. What we now face is a problem of cultural inequality.

One last thing to note: Local Democrat Congressman Bob Filner has been busy killing American energy independence. How? He is part of a team of Democrats proposing ‘Reasonable Profits Board’ to control oil company profits. Considering that a gallon of beer costs more than a gallon of gas, the fact that there are many more kinds of businesses (e.g., film industry) that have higher levels of profits, and the outcry of the public regarding the killing of the Keystone project, I am wondering exactly what level of profits will be deemed reasonable and how this policy would be implemented.

Here is a little something for Beers with Demo (from flowingdata.com):

I must admit, I am open to changing my mind. If Filner proposes this Windfall Profits punishment for Hollywood, the music business, and the fashion industry, I could get in board with this scheme.

Perhaps Filner and his buddies should get back to working on their primary task: Creating a budget for this country.

A BIG CORONAL MASS EJECTION IS AIMED STRAIGHT FOR EARTH!!!!

The ejection, also known as a solar flare, is due to hit earth just about the time the primary results roll in. Fabulous, as it ties into my space-oriented call for change in 2012:

As most of you know, I have no dog in this primary fight. However, I would like to point out that the ham-handed attempt to undermine the Gingrich candidacy by the elite media has garnered a whole lot of backlash. Frankly, I want the primary battles to continue — if the nominee can’t handle challenges from within his own party, then he isn’t up to the type of battle Team Obama has prepared.

I also want to highlight that the absence of reports about the standing ovation during the latest debate, when Newt called-out CNN’s debate host John King, has been noticed. Really shameful, and the reason Americans are opting to go to other sources of news.

The usual rules no longer apply, especially in the world of media. Those who think they do are living in Fantasy Land.

UPDATE: Left Coast Rebel has details on the Gingrich flare.