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:

**********************************************************

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:

*************************************

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.

Here is the continuing dialog between myself and Patriot76, which is the platform for this review:

*******

Patriot76: And people just kind of gravitated to the Tea Party events without really knowing the organizers?

Yes. And the networking that occurred at those events during the first year has fueled life-long friendships and continues to develop interpersonal connections. Americans have a love of community
and freedom that bring them together during hardship. And most of us have had hardships because of the failure of the big government approach and elite bureau-tocracy.

Our blogging group, the San Diego Local Order of Bloggers (SLOBs), stems from the friendships made during rallies and in the quest to promote news and share information on San Diego and California issues. In fact, here are some of us at our first “Beer Summit”, a meeting of minds that we now hold regularly to discuss and debate current events.

This type of thing is occurring throughout the country, as explained in this excellent piece on the current state of the Tea Party: Special report: Tea Party grassroots army readies for battle

Now, instead of rallies, citizens are being elected into local and state offices or are otherwise working to promote specific candidates or agenda items. This is the true Tea Party legacy. However, we do have some special rally plans for October 2012 — focused on the plethora of tax-raising initiatives that Brown plans to offer us.

Reviewing the history, the only logical conclusion one can draw is: A national Tea Party organization should promoting NETWORKS not POLICY.

For example, that means that a Californian like myself would like to donate to a Missouri candidate for a national position in a close race. I would trust my Missouri friends to know if their citizen candidate is worthy. So, instead of squandering my money on a losing fight in my state, I can help turn the tide in another – helping the entire country.

Speaking of networking, I want to draw your attention to two websites I want to promote this week. Mark Meckler, one of my favorite citizen activists, and a friend of the Shrine, has a great blog: Across the Fence with Mark Meckler. He has got a new post out, which caught my eye: U.S. Gun Sales Continue at Record Pace I am thinking to buy a shotgun, so I hope to chat with him regarding tips, tricks, and the adventures of gun ownership.

I want to also give a big shout out to Chris Reed’s site: Calwhine. Chris was gracious enough to have me opine regularly on his excellent radio show. As I try to follow California matters closely, this is going to be my go-to spot. Here is a gem from Chris’ collection: Sacramento pundits think voters are chumps, chapter 237.

Hat-Tip: Chris Reed's Calwhine.com

I am going to conclude with a ratings-generation experiment proposed by fellow SLOB Beers with Demo: Featuring a photo and mention of a big name celebrity. As I have the day off from work, and the Young Prince is with his grandmother, I am going to get in touch with my horror-movie loving Romanian roots. I am going to go to watch The Underworld with Kate Beckinsale as a Vampire Warrior.

Hat-tip: http://www.beyondhollywood.com/

It has been a long time since I published any writing in a traditional manner. I must say, it was nice going back to my roots. A scan of the article is below, for your enjoyment.

Page 23 Tierra Times

I promise to go back to my new media tomorrow. Meanwhile, Left Coast Rebel has a good, and related, piece on the free market and self-interest.

And, focusing a bit on California, I want to share an article that Caesar Charles prepared on CARB (California Air Resources Board) and its awful version of “Cash for Clunkers”.

Cash for Clunkers is still alive and well in California as Voluntary Accelerated Vehicle Retirement (VAVR). The misconceived program makes vehicles unattainable for young and low income people. VAVR also pushes middle income people into debt for new cars with the cost of adherence to environmental regulations combined with large cash incentives.

Also, the Legislative Analysis Office has slammed Brown’s budget for its inanity, as we did last week. If Brown were smart, he would take Shane Atwell’s suggestions as a place to begin making fiscally responsible changes that would actually work for the state. But that will happen on the day Mitt releases his tax records and Obama issues his college transcripts.

Finally, I would like to note that I would rather be published on page 23 of my local newpaper than to have the cover story on Newsweek (hat-tip, Beers with Demo).

Dear Friends (and fans of LEGAL INSURRECTION, who named this analogy post of the day!!!Thanks, Professor.):

The results from New Hampshire were coming in, and I was following them via one of my favorite pundits on-line as the Young Prince was watching the newest Star Trek movie. Assuming that you are regular readers because you like my optimistic take on events, I want to share an uplifting epiphany I had last night:

If Mitt Romney wins the nomination, we will be treated to the American version of the ritual battle known, as kal-if-fee.

This battle pits two normally emotionally remote aliens against eachother, the winner taking a luscious Vulcan babe as the prize. In our case, both contenders will be pretending to have a “blood fever” to service the “bride” (in this analogy, the American Republic).

Maybe because I am part Romanian, and likely have some Roman legionnaires in my bloodline, I am actually excited about the prospect. If done right, this could be a very thrilling election cycle. Before you discount my assertion, let me provide more details.

To get started, it may be worthwhile to review the concept of Pon Farr. In the Star Trek canon, pon farr is a biologically-based, instinctual mating process that occurs among Vulcan males and females every seven years. During this time, they have “blood fevers”, become violently Klingon-ish in their behaviors, and can die if they do not mate with someone with whom they are empathically bonded or engage in a ritual battle with a rival. I came across this wonderful YouTube compendium of Pon Farr, which should amuse all the Trekkies in my fan base:

Should Mitt prevail in the primary, let’s take a look at the likely general election process, as the struggle to remove Obama from office begins. In one corner, there is Mitt — intellectual, waffling, and does not relate to middle income people. His rival, Obama. While some people claim he Obama actually a real alien, the truth is he has a distant, professorial way – some say arrogant – of exercising his questionable “mandate.”

Mitt will enter the ring with only a few friends: Some well known talk show hosts and conservative pundits. Obama will be accompanied by a bridal party of the elite media that has as its sole goal to re-elect him.

Some pundits say that the upcoming election will be passionless. I disagree. I anticipate it will be a real blood battle. Mitt Romney has shown he is a most determined opponent (see here, here and here). On the other hand, Obama has shown there is no stunt his team will not be willing to execute for re-election.

In other words, KUNAT KALIFEE, BABY!

As I have said before, one of the many of the reasons I am glad I am a Democrat is that I don’t have to wonder why the elite GOP is ignoring my opinion on the relative merits of their primary candidates. Like many others, I am clearly in the ABO camp. For example, I do not feel safer since Obama took the oath of office: Obama releases Taliban Leader from Gitmo.I thought national security was a “prime directive” of the President.

So, if the South Carolina and Florida primaries indicate Romney is the likely candidate, I will start to define my support for his election. Despite his misguided policies, I know he loves his country. Romney is not likely to spend 25% of his professional time on the golf course or fund-raising events. The Supreme Court will stay sane under his Presidency.The crony capitalism will be less blatant.

And now, I offer the most persuasive reason for supporting Romney as President:

(Note: Michelle Obama indicates the portrayal of her as “angry” is unfair. In other words: WHO DO YOU BELIEVE, ME OR YOUR OWN LYING EYES? I just hope that the LA Times makes note of my graphic and gives me a little publicity. Perhaps Rush Limbaugh might even mention this little blog).

UPDATE: I am reminded of this wonderful Bill Whittle video I saw a while back:
The Dowd Conundrum: Why Vulcans and Other Intellectuals Don’t Belong in the Big Chair

And this is a helpful segue in how to recognize quality citizen leadership among various tea party groups. That is, people in a group should ask if their spokespeople are more interested in presenting the groups’ messages, or if they are there to promote themselves.

As a freelance journalist, I have directly seen the consequences of regular people exposed to a tremendous amount of media in a short period of time. If those people are well grounded and circumspect, then the experience is not detrimental to their character. On the other hand… well just take a look at Megan McCain and shudder:

So, continuing my Operation Steadfast series, here is the next segment of dialog between Patriot76 and myself:

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Patriot76: Weren’t most of these organizations [i.e., tea party local, state, and national groups] initiated and organized by normal people?

Yes. Most still are. However, as Tammy Bruce notes, people exposed to sudden media attention can get publicity addiction. It occurs when a person begins using any and all occasions to get in front of a camera or reporter in order to become news.

Publicity addiction is, tragically, a common occurrence. For example, it makes people do things, such as convince themselves they can be the next Fox News Pundit after a gentle interview by one of the Fox News anchors. In one instance, media addiction convinced an activist he could be the next Governor of California with no political experience.

I became Catholic, in part, to focus on the having the humility necessary to avoid publicity addiction. I think I am mostly successful, though I really love going on Fox Business Network.

However, I will admit to one addiction. My name is Leslie Eastman and I am an Instalink addict. I love those spikes in page view. The adrenaline rush of realizing my punditry is going to be seen by millions of informed people around the world is thrilling. As Glenn Reynolds is an independent thinker, genius opiner, and one of the Internet’s most famous trailblazers, getting a link from him is an amazing experience.

I try to control it; so, I don’t email Professor Reynolds all my platinum punditry. Just most of it. And I am totally emailing him this.

I would like to note I also suffer from link-addiction to the Anchoress, Legal Insurrection, The Other Mccain, HillBuzz, and the members of the San Diego Local Order of bloggers. I would also like to send a special shout-out to LaDona Harvey and Tammy Bruce for indulging some of this addiction as it relates to radio and podcasts.

I want to conclude with a compare and contrast to highlight my point. A while back, I was invited to do segments on Top Story with Chris Reed. It was a great honor to be asked. The theme was the local Tea Party views on the 2012 Presidential Primary.

Mindful that the SLOBs have a wide array of preferred candidates, I would confer with all of them to get a feel for what they were thinking. THEN I would mention the diversity of opinion.

On the other hand, it seems that Amy Kremer is going to go top-down in support of Rick Santorum. Santorum is not my cup of tea, and I am amazed any Tea Party national group would be so tone-deaf as to try and do a top-down endorsement of anyone from the current field. There is a vast diversity of opinion as to “electability”. Vast.

I wouldn’t do it. Then again, I am content being a happy asteroid in the galaxy of media rather than trying to be a mega-star. It usually doesn’t work out too well.