Violence in Tucson

by Al Maurer | 10:47 am, January 11, 2011

From this tragedy, a familiar picture emerges.

Skousen Discusses Completed Franklin Autobiography

by Ari Armstrong | 9:52 am, January 11, 2011

Economist Mark Skousen, a direct descendant of Benjamin Franklin, completed the founder’s autobiography from letters. Recently Skousen came to Denver for the American Economic Association conference, and he made time to speak at a Small Business Chambe…

Michelle Rhee and Students First Release Worthwhile, Ambitious Policy Agenda

by Eddie | 9:19 am, January 11, 2011

Today is 1-11-11… 5 straight ones. I’m 5 years old, 5 years of number 1. Now that you’ve had a chance to let that not-too-eerie coincidence sink in, I only have time today to bring your attention to an important document. My edu-crush Michelle Rhee’s new super-fab education transformer group, Students First, has released its [...]

Best health care political pull can buy

by Brian Schwartz | 7:00 am, January 11, 2011

“While Obamacare is suppressing genuine marketplace competition for medical services, it is also spurring a more sinister facsimile of competition – for political favors.” – Paul Hsieh, MD.

Michelle Malkin: The progressive “climate of hate:” An illustrated primer, 2000-2010

by Rossputin | 6:19 am, January 11, 2011

Before anybody accepts the idea being pushed by the left – and not pushed back against hard enough by conservatives – that the Tea Party movement and other pro-liberty forces such as Sarah Palin, Glenn Beck, and Rush Limbaugh (the first two of which I’m not  a particularly big fan of) are the cause of the Tucson shootings, I suggest to you as required reading Michelle Malkin’s masterful history of vicious, violent rhetoric and graphics against conservatives by the left:

http://michellemalkin.com/2011/01/10/the-progressive-climate-of-hate-an-illustrated-primer-2000-2010/

Thoughts on Rhetoric and the Tucson Tragedy

by Jimmy Sengenberger | 8:54 pm, January 10, 2011

I’ve been relatively mum the past couple days on the tragedy in Tucson, wherein Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was shot and severely injured and a U.S. district judge, a 9-year-old girl, and others were senselessly murdered by a deranged, vile indivi…

Jan. 17th meetup — Ken Summers and Education Reform

by redrocks | 3:20 pm, January 10, 2011

Ken Summers – Up On The Roof!

“Education Paradigm”
Liberty On The Rocks (Red Rocks) Happy Hour
January 17, 2011

Liberty kicks off 2011 and MLK day with our goals for education and peaceful citizen advocacy in the forefront, with our very special guest, Representative Ken Summers!

Is education a choice? Do great teachers, students, parents, or the union make [...]

Free People, Free Markets: Principles of Liberty is BACK!

by Jon Caldara | 1:07 pm, January 10, 2011

You may have heard about our Free People, Free Markets class, you may have even taken the course already. If not, I want to encourage you to learn more about something that is certain to enrich your life. Over the years, Free People, Free Markets: Principles of Liberty has taught hundreds of interested liberty lovers [...]

A Quiet Legislative Session for K-12? Transformers Still Must Make Noise

by Eddie | 12:13 pm, January 10, 2011

Well, it’s that time of year again….
Hey, stop giving me those blank stares!
Time to preview Colorado’s upcoming legislative session and the debates over bills and policies that could affect K-12 education in our state. Session starts in two days, and Ed News Colorado has posted the annual preview by Todd Engdahl — a must-read [...]

If Palin is responsible for the AZ shooting, is Jody Foster responsible for the shooting of Ronald Reagan?

by David K. Williams, Jr. | 12:12 pm, January 10, 2011

The quality and tenor of political discourse is a fine subject to discuss. But to suggest it had any connection with the Arizona shootings is akin to suggesting Jody Foster had something to do with the shooting of Ronald Reagan.BlueCarp

The Pinnacol of Profligate Spending

by Michael | 8:15 am, January 10, 2011

A $318,000 lavish junket to Pebble Beach involving Pinnacol Assurance executives and board members in May 2010 inspired a lawsuit forcing the release of travel receipts, investigations by two local TV stations seeking to expose the profligate spending habits of the quasi-governmental agency, and now calls by Gov. Bill Ritter and other Democrats for the [...]

A finger-pointing free-for-all by the left after Arizona shootings

by Rossputin | 7:58 am, January 10, 2011

Despite any evidence to connect the unhinged gunman, Jared Lee Loughner, with the Tea Party movement, the American near- and far-left immediately began blaming the Tea Party, Sarah Palin, Glenn Beck, and other pro-liberty forces in America for the attack.

Perhaps most reprehensible was the behavior of Pima County (Arizona) Sheriff Clarence Dupnik who wasted no time trying to score political points for his party, the Sheriff being perhaps the person most prohibited by his job description and duties as an officer of the court from politicizing an ongoing investigation.

Please read my entire article on the subject for Human Events here:
http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=41079

Health insurance takeover alert: Insurers selling different products

by Brian Schwartz | 7:00 am, January 10, 2011

The Denver Business Journal reports that last year’s health control bill has “sped up the pace” of Colorado health insurers’ offering products other than medical insurance. You might think the proponents of “reform” want a government takeover of the health insurance business.

Resolve to Expand, Use, and Produce

by Ari Armstrong | 11:23 pm, January 9, 2011

The following article by Linn and Ari Armstrong originally was published January 7 by Grand Junction Free Press.The number of people living on our planet has nearly quadrupled in the past century, expanding from 1.8 billion in 1910 to 6.9 billion now, …

Independence Institute Event: Sentencing Reform In The 2011 Colorado General Assembly

by Mike Krause | 5:16 pm, January 9, 2011

State spending does not drive the prison population.  Rather, just like an entitlement, the prison population drives state spending.  The legislature’s ability to affect the prison caseload, and thus the corrections budget, rests in its prerogative to write, and when necessary, re-write the state’s criminal sentencing and parole laws and policies.
In 2010, Colorado lawmakers passed [...]

On the state of modern political discourse.

by David K. Williams, Jr. | 11:36 am, January 9, 2011

In the wake of the horrible tragedy in Arizona yesterday, many commentators of all persuasions have speculated on the political beliefs of the shooter.As if it mattered.Based on the videos he posted online, the man was not able to put together a cohere…

Backbone Radio, January 9, 2011 – A week of great and terrible events

by Rossputin | 6:29 am, January 9, 2011

Audio archives for this show:

Segment 1 – Arizona shootings, the left’s attempt to immediately blame the Tea Party
Segment 2 – More on the Arizona shootings
Segment 3 – Arizona shootings and gun control policy with in-studio guest State Senator Greg Brophy
Segment 4 – Discussion with Greg Brophy: Redistricting and reapportionment (plus phone call by Matt Arnold)
Segment 5 – More with Greg Brophy: Health insurance, Daylight Savings Time
Segment 6 – More with Greg Brophy: Civil unions; GOProud at CPAC

Please join me and my co-cost, State Senator Greg Brophy, as we delve into a week of triumph and despair.

After the Republicans took back control of the House of Representatives and, for the first time in the history of the Congress, read (almost) the entire U.S. Constitution on the floor of the House…and then proceded to let two members vote who had not officially been sworn in.

Yes, other things happened this week like an interesting employment report from the Labor Department.

But everything pales in comparison to the horrific events in Tuscon, Arizona on Saturday morning in which a gunman (22-year old white male) shot approximately 19 people, including Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords who is in critical condition after being shot in the head.  Federal Judge John Roll was killed, as was a 9-year old girl who had been invited to the event by a friend who thought she’d find it interesting.  Also killed was Rep. Giffords’ chief of community outreach, a young man who was engaged to be married.

There are no words to adquately describe the horror and revulsion all people feel, or should feel, at hearing this story.  This is not about political party – and I hope it never becomes about political party.  In the meantime, reprehensible leftists have done just what you’d expect them to do:  create a fake Facebook page under the shooter’s name and showing him to be a fan of Glenn Beck, Sarah Palin, and even Atlas Shrugged.

It is always remarkable to me how the left in America always accuses the right of being hateful when most of the hate and most of the violence emanates from the “Progressive” wing of American politics…though perhaps not this weekend; we just don’t know yet.

Please join me by listening to (and calling in to) this week’s Backbone Radio program from 5 PM to 8 PM on 710 AM KNUS in Denver and 1460 AM KZNT in Colorado Springs.

If you’re not in range of the radio waves, you should be able to listen to the show online by clicking HERE.

I hope you’ll actively participate in the conversation with me: Call the studio at 303 696 1971, e-mail me at ross(at)backboneradio.net, or instant message from my site at http://rossputin.com or through AOL Instant messenger to screen name Rossputin.

Class Act

by T.L. James | 8:19 pm, January 8, 2011

Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik wastes no time assigning blame for a raving nutjob’s deranged act — to others: “When you look at unbalanced people, how they respond to the vitriol that comes out of certain mouths about tearing down the government. The anger, the hatred, the bigotry that goes on in this country is [...]

Breaking: Arizona Representative Gabrielle Giffords shot in the head

by Rossputin | 2:17 pm, January 8, 2011

It is being reported by various news outlets that 3-term Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was shot in the head while hosting a “Congress on Your Corner” meeting at a local supermarket in Tucson.

While early reports suggested that Rep. Giffords was dead, it is now being reported that she is in critical condition in a local hospital.  From the sound of it, the fact that she didn’t die immediately is remarkable.  There is so much uncertainty based on the angle at which she was shot and other such details that there’s no way to guess whether she is likely to survive and, if so, what her long-term prognosis would be.

Fox News reports that there may have been an accomplice or second shooter, but it remains uncertain whether that is the case.

At least 5 others have been reported killed and a dozen injured by a young male gunman who was tackled and has been taken into custody.

There is simply no place in America for violence against political figures no matter how much one might disagree with them.  That said, I need to be very clear that at this point we have no idea whether politics was a factor in this massacre and I am not jumping to that conclusion.  A State Senator speaking on Fox News said that she had feared an attack on Giffords…but then jumped to suggesting that the real risk to Giffords was from members of the Tea Party.  Apparently, that State Senator is not going to wait before jumping to a conclusion.

The State Senator also reported unconfirmed rumors that the shooter was a veteran and that he said something before he started shooting.  UPDATE: Fox News reports that the U.S. Army says the shooter tried to enlist but was rejected.

At this point, there is essentially no information known about the shooter.  Apparently police shot at the assailant but missed him and he was taken into custody uninjured.  If they handed him over to me for a little while, I guarantee you he would not return uninjured.

Mrs. Giffords’ reputation is one of a hard-working, easy to get along with, moderate Democrat who is very popular with her constituents.

My hopes are with Representative Giffords and her family in the time of terrible, unforgivable tragedy.

—————

Headline from The Hill at 12:25 PM Mtn Time: “Rep. Giffords dies after gunman opens fire at event”

Headline from The Hill at 2:50 PM Mtn Time: “Doctors optimistic about Giffords’ recovery”

I realize this is in extremely poor taste, but I can’t help but wonder if this makes Rep. Giffords the new Jesus…

But seriously, although I’m not a guy who believes in miracles, I’m sure hoping for one for the sake of Rep. Giffords and her family.

I would also note that no matter what happens to Gabrielle Giffords, we should focus equally on the other victims of this heinous crime, not least the 9-year old girl who was killed by the gunman this morning along with a federal judge and members of Giffords’ staff.  Mrs. Giffords’ life is precious and valuable…as are and were the lives of all the others who were shot in Tuscon today.

Obama Wants Internet IDs for Americans

by Al Maurer | 10:18 am, January 8, 2011

The government wants you to have a government-issued internet ID.

Taxes on Fees (that are really taxes anyway)

by CTBC Director | 9:12 am, January 8, 2011

One more example of how the Colorado Supreme Court has aided and abetted another unconstitutional assault on your wallet was recently highlighted in an informative article by Face The State’s Peter Blake, “One used-tire fee drives another” (the article also appeared in the Denver Daily News).  The article traces the mutation of the “used-tire fee” from [...]

Nine People Use CO’s Marijuana Laws to Setup Drug Ring

by PerlStalker | 11:46 pm, January 7, 2011

KDVR 13 is reporting that nine people have been arrested for using Colorado’s marijuana laws to set up their own drug ring.

I have a couple of points coming from different directions. The first is that Colorado lawmakers made a mistake when the draft…

Whose House Is It, Anyway? – Part II

by Joshua Sharf | 5:37 pm, January 7, 2011

In this morning’s Denver Post, the organization Historic Denver, Inc. has an oped defending Denver’s demolition ordinance.  This isn’t in and of itself surprising, and neither is the fact that people who seek to extend their rights over your property would commit a number of logical fallacies, while employing all sorts of rhetorical sleight of [...]

Student Quiz on the Middle East….sad, just sad.

by Mr. Bob | 2:41 pm, January 7, 2011

#Israel #Hamas #MiddleEast #peoplespress

Raise the Cost = Get Less

by Jon Caldara | 1:58 pm, January 7, 2011

It’s amazing the cognitive dissonance that some people are capable of. To hold two completely opposing viewpoints at the same time takes talent. For example, the left understands and readily promotes taxing things to reduce them. They want to tax cigarettes, candy, soda, gasoline, and all kinds of fun in order to get less of [...]

Colorado Education Reform

by Jon Caldara | 12:09 pm, January 7, 2011

Tune in to Devil’s Advocate this Friday night as I am joined by former Colorado Commissioner of Education William Moloney and the Independence Institute’s Education Policy Center Director Pam Benigno to discuss how Colorado’s public schools can change how they do business and spend money more productively in tighter budget times. That’s tonight – [...]

An Encouraging Start

by Al Maurer | 10:56 am, January 7, 2011

The 112th Congress is off to a good start. Let’s hope they stay the course.

Mixed message in December jobs numbers

by Rossputin | 8:13 am, January 7, 2011

On Friday morning, the Labor Department announced that the unemployment rate dropped to 9.4%, the lowest rate since May, 2009.  However, that came along with the information that non-farm payrolls rose by only 103,000, far below the average estimate of economists surveyed which was for an increase of about 170,000 jobs.

There were upward revisions totaling about 70,000 jobs in the October and November numbers.

Interestingly, the unemployment rate dropped for adult men and for whites, but not substantially for adult women (already doing far better than adult men, at 8.1% unemployment versus 9.4% for men), teenagers (an astounding 25.4%), blacks (15.8%), and Hispanics (13%).

According to BLS, “Employment rose in leisure and hospitality and in health care but changed little in other major industries. Since December 2009, total payroll employment has increased by 1.1 million, or an average of 94,000 per month.” There was a small gain in retail employment after a surprise loss in November.  The goods-producing sector was essentially unchanged in December, down 2,000 jobs after being down 5,000 jobs in November. There were small gains in mining and manufacturing, offset by losses in construction, including civil engineering and residential building.

The economy needs to create about 125,000 jobs a month to prevent a rising unemployment rate, so how did the rate drop so much with a gain of only 103,000 jobs?  The number of umemployed dropped by 556,000 jobs in large part due to a drop in the civilian labor force participation rate and increase in discouraged workers, namely people who are not counted as unemployed because they have given up looking for a job.

The next couple of months will be interesting.  While economic data is pointing to a recovery of sorts, job growth is not keeping pace.  The public looks much more at the unemployment rate than in the number of jobs created, not least because the rate is the number most widely discussed in the mass media.  If discouraged workers decide to start looking for jobs again but the economy is still only producing about 100,000 or even up to 150,000 jobs per month, it would not be surprising to see the unemployment rate tick up again.

In the meantime, expect crowing from the Obama administration about the unemployment rate with a few seconds of talk like “but of course job growth is not where anybody would like to be”, a situation for which they are almost entirely responsible.

 

 

Thomas Jefferson on those useless paper phone books we all throw away.

by David K. Williams, Jr. | 7:00 pm, January 6, 2011

It is the time of year when several unwanted, large phone books covered with refrigerator magnets start arriving on our door steps. Some say the government needs to step in and stop the waste of the unwanted delivery of phone books. You may have heard …

I want Flo to Sell Me Health Insurance!

by Jon Caldara | 3:14 pm, January 6, 2011

Just a few days ago, the Colorado Springs Gazette published a fantastic op-ed on ObamaCare. Oh, I know what you’re thinking: another one? Yes, another one. But this one is special. This op-ed actually gave me hope – real hope – not that superficial, chanting like a zombie type hope we were sold in 2008. [...]

« go back — keep looking »

Featured Posts

• Judge Rules Americans Can Be Forced to Testify Against Themselves

  In order to protect our rights, our security must be protected. In order to protect our security, our rights must be invaded. Nothing wrong with that, is there?

• World Economic Forum in Switzerland: Global Elites Celebrating Hypocrisy
• SCOTUS decision on warrantless GPS surveillance produces an expected friend of privacy
• You didn’t want your Fifth Amendment rights, anyway, did you?
• Keynesian Economists Finally Catch Up and Agree: China to Have Hard Landing
• The Beauty of Private Property—from China?
• Regime Uncertainty, Regulatory Surge, and Unemployment Numbers