NC: White 17 year-old killed in Kannapolis. Police believe three black males responsible

Via CofCC

Daniel Lee Cooper

Darius Smotherson

Family and friends mourned Tuesday as investigators continued searching for answers in the shooting death of a 17-year-old A.L. Brown High School student.

Dozens of friends gathered around the school rock Tuesday morning to honor the memory of Daniel Lee Cooper, who was shot in the neck Monday afternoon while a passenger in a car on Snow Street.

Kannapolis Police investigators have obtained a murder warrant for Darius Jamal Smotherson, who they believe to be one of three involved in the shooting. He had not been arrested Tuesday evening.

More @ Salisbury Post

Lord Acton and General Lee

Via The Confederate Colonel

There was no greater mind in the 19th century than the British philosopher and historian, Lord Acton. Acton, famous for the quote, “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely,” was not only a great mind, but a great spirit. He rejected tyranny however “patriotic” and refused the spoils of war however enticing. Acton watched closely as the crisis built up between the old Union and the states of the South in America. He was aware of the various economic, political and moral issues—including slavery—but nonetheless, cast his lot with the South. After the war, he wrote the following to General Robert E. Lee:
“I saw in States’ rights the only availing check upon the absolutism of the sovereign will, and secession filled me with hope, not as the destruction but as the redemption of Democracy…Therefore I deemed that you were fighting the battles of our liberty, our progress, and our civilization, and I mourn for the stake which was lost at Richmond more deeply than I rejoice over that which was saved at Waterloo.”
Acton saw in the South’s struggle for independence, not an attempt to save slavery or even an effort to throw off the economic yoke of the North with its American System of crony capitalism which has become so familiar to us today. Rather, he saw an effort to hold fast to the Founding Principles upon which the original Union was established and which had long since been abandoned by the ever increasing statism and centralization embraced by the North. Acton saw States’ rights as “the only availing check” on that statism and centralization. Today see the ultimate victory of the Union in the overwhelming power of Washington, D. C. Acton believed that the Confederacy was fighting for more than its own liberty, progress and civilization; it was fighting for all mankind. Indeed, in another place, he states that had the Confederacy been victorious, it would have “blessed all the races of mankind by establishing true freedom…” As Lord Acton was contemporary to the struggle, it would be ludicrous to suggest the he had been duped, elevating the cause of the South into something greater than it was.
Yet, today no such vision of that struggle or definition of that cause is even permitted to be entertained. We are told that the South fought for slavery and tyranny and that her heroes were wicked or corrupt or lacking in sufficient wit to understand the nature of the cause for which they fought. The Grand Bargain—which for so many years allowed Americans on both sides to embrace the heroes in Blue and Gray—has been repudiated and now, all things Confederate are held in contempt. Southern heritage and history including her symbols, monuments and heroes are pronounced as unfit for anything but the ash heap of history. Yet, one of the greatest minds of the time, Lord Acton, clearly thought otherwise. Furthermore, most of what people are told about the South and its cause are myths, mistakes, half-truths and outright lies. Efforts to disseminate the truth and well documented facts are shouted down by the politically correct revisionists of academia, government and the media. No attempt is made to disprove the facts. Rather the truth is simply kept from the people. A great mind of the 18th century, the Scottish poet Robert Burns, had this to say about those who feared to advance the truth:
Here’s freedom to him who would speak,
Here’s freedom to him who would write,
For there’s none ever feared that the truth should be heard,
Except he who the truth would indict.
For those who would reject the right of Southerners to celebrate their great and noble heritage, I say that you are among those whom the poet rightly condemns. You fear that the truth would be heard because it is you and your position that the truth would indict.

Lady Val
New York

Using the young as a shield for hitting the deficit spending wall – the bill will come due for the young. Government spending prioritizes old American

Via Survival

The level of government spending is mind boggling but has taken a backseat to the issues being experienced over in Europe. We are running trillion dollar deficits as if this was somehow customary in our history. For each dollar spent we are seeing less of a result in the real economy. Part of the issue with the stimulus funding mechanism is that it disproportionately favors the financial industry. The rhetoric being pushed out ignores the two-tier system in the US where older Americans have safety nets while the young are battling the fierce tiger of hungry capitalism. Money knows no boundaries and has no national ties. Just look at Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin renouncing his US citizenship in line with the IPO and his big payday. The 2012 elections should be centered on the health and future of our economy. Do we still feel that a middle class is central to the prosperity of the nation? The fact that so much money is being spent with so little results is troubling on many fronts.

Increase in debt and GDP

The increase in government debt has not necessarily coincided with a proportionate increase in GDP:

Source: TrimTabs

A chart like the above would resemble a world war yet that is not our current situation. The massive spending is yielding weak results for the amount that is being funneled into the system. The Federal Reserve has done an excellent job bailing out its member banks by shifting toxic assets onto their own balance sheet:

More @ My Budget 360

UPDATE on the The Other McCain story

Brett Kimberlin Saga Takes a Bizarre Turn, Forcing Me to Leave Maryland

********

Via Conservative Hideout 2.0

Who Is Brett Kimberlin? Part 1

NC unconstitutional gun ban pulled from calendar for ‘more time to review the issue’

Your voice is being heard: Now you must deliver a ‘no compromise’ message!

As you recall, House Bill 489, formerly dealing with mechanics’ liens, was stripped to replace its guts with “Dangerous Weapons Restrictions in Emergencies.” The bill is ostensibly intended to replace North Carolina’s ban on transportation of firearms and ammunition outside the home during declared states of emergency – which was declared unconstitutional under the Second Amendment in Bateman v. Perdue – with a law which would pass constitutional muster.

Unfortunately, the current proposal is worse than the original law, offering no significant protections but instead new restrictions which reach into your very home. Because the “Proposed Committee Substitute” won’t appear on the legislature’s web site until it is heard, you can see it at: http://grnc.org/documents/H489-CSSA-71.pdf

WHO IS BEHIND HB 489?

What is becoming clearer, however, is that this might be a case of inadequately supervised staffers running amok. When emergency management bill HB 843 went to the Senate Judiciary I Committee, it still contained the language found unconstitutional in Bateman. Committee chair Sen. Pete Brunstetter then reportedly gave it to staff to “fix.” But instead of simply repealing the now-unconstitutional gun ban, they apparently took it upon themselves to draft new gun bans. Equally clear is that although HB 489 was Rep. “Skip” Stam’s bill, Stam wasn’t even informed that his bill would be gutted before it was attempted.

What remains to be seen is whether Brunstetter and other Republicans will do the right thing and simply repeal the old ban. Right now, too many are still making noises about using gun bans to combat looting during natural or manmade disasters – once again falling for the old trap of targeting lawful guns instead of unlawful behavior.

Thanks to overwhelming input to the committee, it has been pulled from the calendar pending further review. Now it’s time to contact YOUR state senator and let them know that you will tolerate nothing less than the repeal of the unconstitutional gun ban, and that you will accept NO NEW BANS.

THE FLAWS IN HB 489

To give you the flavor of the bill, consider part of its long title: “An Act to Authorize the Possession, Storage, and Use of Dangerous Weapons During a State of Emergency for Self-Defense in a Person’s Home…” [Emphasis added]

You read it right: Bureaucrats would “authorize” keeping firearms in the home, leading us to ask what other fundamental rights they might someday feel the need to “authorize.” Freedom of speech, perhaps? Of religion?

Fundamental flaws in HB 489:

• The bill still restricts firearms outside the home during emergencies: Although new language in G.S. 14-288.12(b)(4) purports to let cities restrict outside-the-home carry only “when necessary to preserve the public peace where there is an imminent risk of damage, injury, or loss of life or property,” that language is so vague as to be meaningless. Virtually every state of emergency – be it hurricane, riot or snowstorm – carries these “imminent risks.
• 
  
• Regulations now reach into your home: Although the bill purports to forbid cities from regulating guns and ammunition in the home during emergencies, neither cities nor the state ever had the power to apply in-home bans during states of emergency. Translated, by stipulating what lawful gun-related activities you may do in the home, the bill tries to replace your unequivocal right to arms in the home with a restricted “right” to arms in the home.
• 
  
• HB 489 replaces an unconstitutional statute with another unconstitutional statute: But because laws are constitutional until proven otherwise, you’ll have to go back to court to prove it.

Immediate Action Required

• CALL & EMAIL YOUR NC STATE SENATOR: Find out who he or she is by going to: http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/representation/WhoRepresentsMe.html
• 
  The easiest way is to go to the bottom of the page and insert your 9-digit zip code (which can be found on your driver’s license). The site will give you links to the state senator in question, including email and phone information.
• 
  
• HELP GRNC KILL THIS & OTHER GUN BANS: By joining or, if you are already a member, contributing at: https://ssl4.westserver.net/grnc.org/join.html

Deliver This Message

It is suggested you use the subject line: “No new ‘State of Emergency’ gun ban”

Dear Senator:

I strongly urge you to oppose the Proposed Committee Substitute for House Bill 489: “Dangerous Weapons Restrictions in Emergencies” (H489-CSSA-71 [v.4]). The bill would be more accurately titled: “Gun Rights Authorized by Bureaucrats.”

North Carolina’s existing ban on bearing arms outside the home was recently declared unconstitutional under the Second Amendment by a federal court in the case Bateman v. Perdue. But instead of simply repealing what is now a largely unenforceable statute, HB 489 would replace it with an even more insidious ban.

That HB 489’s long title describes “authorizing” arms and ammunition in the home speaks volumes about the bill. Language purporting to restrict cities from banning guns outside the home is vague to the point of being useless; the bill is sloppily drafted; and worst of all, it stipulates for the first time which lawful firearm-related activities I may or may not exercise IN MY OWN HOME.

Understand that I will accept NO NEW GUN BANS, but only the repeal of the state of emergency gun ban found unconstitutional in Bateman.

Please advise me of your position on this issue. I will be monitoring it via Grass Roots North Carolina legislative alerts.

Respectfully,

America's Second Revolution?

Via Cousin John

Ron Paul just pulled off what one analyst dubbed a "bloodless coup" in Minnesota. The Republican presidential hopeful swept the state's GOP primary, taking 12 of the 13 delegates up for grabs. This came just days after Paul announced he would no longer campaign in primary states, effectively ending his bid for the Republican nomination. But, a lack of funds and campaigning clearly hasn't stopped the momentum Ron Paul has ignited across the nation.

Now, some are saying that a "Paul Revolution" has ignited what has become even larger than the candidate himself, while others are adamant that Paul's delegate strategy will ultimately get him the nomination.

What do you think?

Will Ron Paul capture enough delegates to win the GOP nomination?

More @ American Breaking Point

Sebasta has a request:)

Via Val

Cherokee Confederates reunion in New Orleans, 1903.

I qualify for Sims and Farley, so someone please nominate me for an award.........

I belong on a ACW list and received this today – I have decided to send it far and wide in hopes of a very large response to Mr. Sebasta. I'm sure I don't have to tell you about Ed Sebasta but I thought you might find his request to the people on the list of interest. Of course, the moderator wishes I would go away. He doesn't even forward my replies when I am providing requested information that cannot be invalidated. He seems to think that I call him names. Quite the opposite, in fact.

In any event, maybe some of you might like to "help" Mr. Sebasta in his quest for infamous neo-Confederates who pick on helpless academics:

From: Edward H. Sebesta [mailto:esebesta@tx.rr.com]
Subject: Seeking information about neo-Confederate harrassment of persons at a university.

As part of a larger book I am writing a chapter about professors, students others who were harassed or targeted by neo-Confederates. I already have the following cases.

1. Gregory Urwin when he was teaching in Arkansas.

2. John Sims at Gettysburg College

3. A student at East Carolina Univ.

4. The Civil War Center at LSU.

5. Bermudez at Gainesville State University.

6. Jonathan Farley at Vanderbilt University.

It doesn't have to be just an instructor, professor, student or administrator. Visiting speakers, exhibiting artists or any other case which takes place on a campus, whether university, college, community college, or other institute of higher education is of interest.

Please reply to me personally at esebesta@tx.rr.com and not on H-net.

Regards,

Ed Sebesta

150th Anniversary of Stonewall Jackson’s Victory in the Battle of Front Royal

Via Dave

Good piece and I was pleased to see a comment by Tom DiLorenzo.

Painting by Mort Kunstler, “On to the Shenandoah” May 23, 1862 - Full size at his website

Today is the 150th anniversary of the battle of Front Royal, Virginia (the town near where I was raised). On May 23, 1862, almost all the Yankee soldiers in Front Royal were captured, killed or wounded during a surprise attack by Jackson’s “foot calvary.” Both sides fought valiantly, but the northerners were greatly outnumbered. Their commander, Col. John Kenly, was a shirt-tail ancestor of my father and the source of the first name Dad hated. Col. Kenly was badly wounded and captured; after he was exchanged for a Confederate POW, he rose to the rank of Major General and spawned a few great-great aunts and uncles (not certain on that pedigree).

Jackson’s victory may have saved Richmond, since it spooked Lincoln into canceling plans to send 40,000 reinforcements to the Army of the Potomac, which had penetrated to the outskirts of the Confederate capital.

The best thumbnail summary of the battle I found was on Wikipedia. (Most other accounts were tangled or semi-obscure).

More @ BOVARD

American Third Position

Via Matthew

Figures don't lie – Democrats do

calumny, deceit, deception, dishonesty, disinformation, distortion,fabrication, falsehood, falsification, falsity, fiction, fraudulence, invention, libel, mendacity, myth, obloquy, perjury, prevarication, revilement, reviling, slander, subterfuge, vilification.

It’s been breaking news all over MSNBC, liberal blogs, newspapers and even the Wall Street Journal: “Federal spending under Obama at historic lows … It’s clear that Obama has been the most fiscally moderate president we’ve had in 60 years.” There’s even a chart!

I’ll pause here to give you a moment to mop up the coffee on your keyboard. Good? OK, moving on …

This shocker led to around-the-clock smirk fests on MSNBC. As with all bogus social science from the left, liberals hide the numbers and proclaim: It’s “science”! This is black and white, inarguable, and why do Republicans refuse to believe facts?

Ed Schultz claimed the chart exposed “the big myth” about Obama’s spending: “This chart – the truth – very clearly shows the truth undoubtedly.” And the truth was, the “growth in spending under President Obama is the slowest out of the last five presidents.”

Note that Schultz also said that the “part of the chart representing President Obama’s term includes a stimulus package, too.” As we shall see, that is a big, fat lie.

Schultz’s guest, Reuters columnist David Cay Johnston confirmed: “And clearly, Obama has been incredibly tight-fisted as a president.”

Everybody’s keyboard OK?

On her show, Rachel Maddow proclaimed: “Factually speaking, spending has leveled off under President Obama. Spending is not skyrocketing under President Obama. Spending is flattening out under President Obama.”

In response, three writers from “The Daily Show” said, “We’ll never top that line,” and quit.

Inasmuch as this is obviously preposterous, I checked with John Lott, one of the nation’s premier economists and author of the magnificent new book with Grover Norquist: “Debacle: Obama’s War on Jobs and Growth and What We Can Do Now to Regain Our Future.” (I’m reviewing it soon, but you should start without me.)

It turns out Rex Nutting, author of the phony Marketwatch chart, attributes all spending during Obama’s entire first year, up to Oct. 1, to President Bush.

That’s not a joke.

That means, for example, the $825 billion stimulus bill, proposed, lobbied for, signed and spent by Obama, goes in … Bush’s column. (And if we attribute all of Bush’s spending for the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and No Child Left Behind to William Howard Taft, Bush didn’t spend much either.)

Nutting’s “analysis” is so dishonest, even the New York Times has ignored it.

More @ WND