Big Three Auto Makers Need Bankruptcy Court

Mitt Romney, former Governor of Massachusetts opposes a bailout of the big three automobile makers. He believes bankruptcy may be the only path to solvency for the Big Three automakers.
http//www.newsmax.com/insidecover/Romney_detroit_bankrupt/2008/11/19/152984.html?s=al&promo_code=719A-1

On the radio today, I heard Neal Boortz say that yesterday the top executives of Ford, General Motors and Chrysler flew to Washington, DC to testify in front of Congress. Neal pointed out that each of those executives flew to Washington in a private airplane, none of them flew commercial.

My liberal daughter told me those executives need the bailout to maintain their standard of living. She said those executives are not the type to fly commercial, especially in the rear of a wide body aircraft.

"Detroit is in nose dive, no doubt about that. So is a $50 billion government bailout the answer? President-elect Barack Obama thinks so, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi points in the same direction with her call for extending 'emergency and limited financial assistance' under the $700 billion bailout plan enacted last month. Democrats clearly want something big and something soon for the Big Three. We agree that the automakers can't go on much longer burning cash and piling up an Everest of debt. They're close to the breaking point. But there's a system in place for dealing with crises such as this, even at the scale of massive corporations. It's called bankruptcy, and it should not be written off as unthinkable. Filing for Chapter 11 protection under bankruptcy law is the normal way a company stays in business when facing an unmanageable financial situation. It keeps creditors at bay while the company reorganizes under court supervision and settles its debts. In recent years it has served as a refuge for major airlines (Delta and United) which, you may notice, continued to fly while in Chapter 11 and, post-bankruptcy, fly today. Bankruptcy protection also frees companies from union contracts. Could this be why it seems to have been taken off the table as an option, at least among Democrats? We can only surmise, but it's clear that a bankruptcy process would be rough going for the United Auto Workers (UAW)." --Investor's Business Daily

Soap Box Ravings would like to point out that the entire automobile industry in this country does not require bankruptcy. However, the old guard of Ford, General Motors and Chrysler do. I agree with Gov. Romney and Investor's Business Daily, these companies need to go through bankruptcy court and re-establish themselves. I also agree with my liberal daughter that the executives involved and the UAW workers need the bailout money to maintain their standard of living, but some money is better than no money.

Soap Box Ravings believes neither the executives nor the UAW want to make changes, they just want money.

Part of the problem are the company business plans and part of the problem are the United Auto Workers. I don't intend to establish blame, it is fact. If you are not making money enough to cover your expenses bankruptcy is the solution.

Soap Box Ravings believes if the our country helps enough countries, states, banks and businesses.......the country itself will go bankrupt sooner or later.

Shouldn't The Punishment Fit The Crime

2006 Day Fire, CA which burned 163000 acres.


A California homeless man, suffering from paranoid schizophrenia, depression and alcoholism, was sentenced Monday by U.S. District Court Judge Valerie Baker Fairbank to 45 months in prison. He was also ordered to pay more than $101 million in restitution for starting two fires; the 2006 Day Fire and the 2002 Ellis Fire.

The Day Fire raged for more than a month and cost more than $78 million to suppress while injuring 18 people, and destroying 11 structures.

The Ellis Fire burned 70 acres.

The Judge said "The fact that in 2006 he engaged in virtually the same conduct as in 2002 shows extreme recklessness."

Soap Box Ravings is glad the man, identified as Steven Emory Butcher, was in fact a homeless man suffering from paranoid schizophrenia, depression and alcoholism. He could have been a US Senator and took the country for mega-millions.

However, when Soap Box Ravings worked with the substance abuse counselors in the US Navy he learned that you could not trust, for example, an alcoholic on a binge to make a rational decision. You had to take control of them, dry them out and then see if they could make intelligent rational decisions. Some still could not.

Soap Box Ravings can not help but wonder how a gifted federal judge could determine reckless behavior from a person suffering from paranoid schizophrenia, depression and alcoholism. It kinda sorta looks like the wrong ruler was used to measure the miscreant's behavior.

Soap Box Ravings can't help but wonder if this Judge was focused on the U.S. Senator's who fed off of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac what she would have sentenced them to repay.

You Have To Love The Associated Press (AP) Regardless Of Their Country

The AP headline on AOL read: Passenger Jet Lands Without Wheels

The identified by name Philadelphia Inquirer reporter's headlines read: Emergency landing at Philadelphia International

The actual story is: A US Airways Express airliner slid down a runway Sunday during an emergency landing without its nose landing gear.

Soap Box Ravings has noticed over the years that news reported by the Associated Press suffers. There is a major difference in landing a passenger jet with no wheels and landing the same aircraft with an inoperative nose wheel.

This is just another complaint I register along with the medias bias on the news. Yet those in the business wonder why no one reads their newspapers or watches their news shows.

Added on 17 November 2008, a couple of examples from the French equivalent of the Associated Press......the Agence France-Presse (APF).

APF claims to be the world's oldest established news agency.

An elderly Iraqi woman shows two bullets which she says hit her house following an early coalition forces raid in the predominantly Shiite Baghdad suburb of Sadr City. At least 175 people were slaughtered on Tuesday and more

A Baghdad area puppy shows a hand grenade, recently tossed through the window of this Sadr City animal shelter, killing dozens of adorable puppies and kittens and demolishing the building when it detonated.

Soap Box Ravings says only a complete dolt would believe that either picture was anything but staged. The bullets the woman is holding are unfired cartridges and the grenade with the puppy has not been detonated.

Soap Box Ravings also has a hard time believing there are animal shelters in Sadr City filled with dozens of puppies and kittens.

Again, I rest my case.

More news from 27 November 2008:

Hundreds Killed, Wounded in Mumbai Slaughter, Associated Press

MUMBAI, India - A trickle of bodies and hostages emerged from a luxury hotel Thursday as Indian commandoes tried to free people trapped by suspected Muslim militants who attacked at least 10 targets in India's financial capital of Mumbai, killing 101 people.

When Soap Box Ravings was being instructed in English, it took more than 101 to make hundreds. Soap Box Ravings was taught hundreds meant mutiples of one hundred. I believe you has one hundred, a couple of hundred, a few hundred and then hundreds.

We Shall See

United States veterans and active duty personnel not in uniform can now render the military-style hand salute during the playing of the national anthem, thanks to changes in federal law that took effect in October when President Bush signed the Defense Authorization Act of 2009.

"The military salute is a unique gesture of respect that marks those who have served in our nation's armed forces," said Dr. James B. Peake, secretary of Veterans Affairs. "This provision allows the application of that honor in all events involving our nation's flag."

Changes in federal law last year, contained in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008, authorized active duty personnel not in uniform and veterans to render the military-style hand salute during the raising, lowering or passing of the flag, but did not address salutes during the national anthem.

Traditionally, members of the nation's veterans service organizations have rendered the hand-salute during the national anthem and at events involving the national flag while wearing their organization's official head-gear.

Soap Box Ravings says that soon Ex-Senator Obama will be the President of the United States of America, the Commander and Chief of the Armed Forces of the United states of America. Will he salute the flag then and with respect or will he be disrespectful as he has been in the past. Time will tell and we will see.

The information on the law states that active duty personnel and veterans "can" now hand salute in civilian clothes it does not say "must." But President Obama will be in his official capacity as President from the day he is sworn in until he is relieved. In his case, the "can" is a must.

I am reminded of an old saying about a leopards ability to change it's spots. Can the new President change his spots. Soap Box Ravings does not think it is very likely, but he will see along with the rest of you.

The Race

Happy Veteran's Day

I would like to wish all veterans a very happy day. May each and every one of you enjoy today with those who mean the most to you. I thank you for a job well done. I also wish to extend this to any and all shipmates on active duty regardless of your service. Fair winds and following seas and may God take care of you all.

Duuuhhhhhhhhh

Soap Box Ravings heard on the radio today, Veteran's Day, 2008; that 67 per cent of the folks recently surveyed felt that Obama had done a great job since the election.

Freaking amazing!!!

God help us all.

Congratulations

Soap Box Ravings would like to congratulate President-elect Obama for a well bought election.

Soap Box Ravings would also like to point out that he believes President Obama, Senator Reid and Speaker Pelosi will:

1. Not increase our oil supply thereby increasing fuel costs,

2. Not use coal nor nuclear power thereby increasing energy costs,

3. Increase the restrictions on firearms (he has the votes now),

4. Rewrite the Fairness Doctrine to destroy "talk" radio, and

5. Increase all of those taxes Obama said would not increase.

The increased taxes coupled with increasing fuel costs and energy costs will cause major job losses and a even more rapid slowing of the economy. When this happens, the Democrats in power will assure everyone that their problem is President Bush's fault.

But when that happens, remember that Obama and company campaigned for the job knowing the economy was "bad" and they promised they had a plan to "save the country" with change. I hope they were right but I never believed them then and I don't believe them now.

Now I could be wrong with my forecast. With judicious use of the "Fairness Doctrine" an extremely biased media and no interviews except with friendly sources, an individual may never even learn about future in-country problems unless of course it is your personal ox which is gored.

Another interesting footnote for the day: As soon as I woke up this morning news radio announced that Obama would be our next President.........and the sun did not shine all day.

Justice Is Swift In Montana

Obama Receives Support From ... A Gun Maker? Not For Long!

A high end Cooper rifle from Cooper Firearms of Montana, Inc..


In an article published Tuesday, 27 October 2008, the USA Today stated that Dan Cooper, chief executive of Cooper Arms in Montana, donated money to Barack Obama's presidential campaign and that he also donated to Obama's 2004 Senate campaign.


Cooper's company makes high end hunting rifles, and those that purchase those rifles largely support Republican John McCain. Nationwide, most hunters do not trust Obama's stance on gun control and many were upset. So upset that the company board of directors, shareholders and employees asked the chief executive officer to resign on Friday, 31 October 2008.


For more information see Pete Thomas' article at:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/outposts/2008/10/barack-obama-re.html


Also Matt Gouras' article at:
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iH4iOmqpZESb0Y0u
R4zuNHsoVQTQD945RAH00


Soap Box Ravings believes in "Freedom of Speech" and also the "Laws of Unintended Consequences." When you take a position you take all that goes with that position. When you speak, you get the results of your speech. I agree with the company's position and the end result. I firmly and absolutely believe Senator Barack Hussein Obama when he said he was not after our guns...he didn't have the votes for it. His entire history is anti-gun from day one.

A List Of Socialist Countries For Those So Inclined

Soap Box Ravings' asks, "On a scale of socialists where does this one fit?"


This is a list of countries, past and present, that declared themselves socialist either in their names or their constitutions. No other criteria are used; thus, some or all of these countries may not fit any specific definition of socialism. Their only common feature is using the label "socialist" for themselves, under any interpretation. There are few, if any, definitions of socialism that could fit all the countries on this list. However, most definitions of socialism fit at least some of these countries at some points in their histories.

There are many countries that have been ruled by socialist political parties for extended periods of time without ever adopting socialism as an official ideology in their names or constitutions. Such countries are not listed here. However, see the article on the Socialist International for an up-to-date list of countries that are currently ruled by member parties of the SI (the largest present day organization of socialist political parties).

Conversely, there are some countries that maintain constitutional references to socialism without being currently ruled by a socialist political party. Those countries are included on this list.

Marxist-Leninist:

These countries are known as "Communist states" in the West, because their ruling parties generally use the name "Communist Party of [country]." However, the countries themselves are referred to as socialist republics, not communist, in their own constitutions. They are defined by a form of government in which the state operates under a one-party system and declares allegiance to the ideology of Marxism-Leninism. In accordance with Marxism-Leninism, the constitutions of these countries claim that all power belongs to the working class, that a democratic dictatorship of the proletariat has been implemented within their borders, and that they are building socialism, with the goal of achieving communism one day.

Current:

Republic of Mozambique
North Korea - Democratic People's Republic of Korea
China - People's Republic of China
Cuba - Republic of Cuba
Laos - Lao People's Democratic Republic
Vietnam - Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Cyprus - Republic of Cyprus
Moldova - Republic of Moldova
Nepal - Republic of Nepal
Republic of Angola

Former:
Democratic Republic of Afghanistan
People's Socialist Republic of Albania
People's Republic of Angola
People's Republic of Benin
People's Republic of the Congo
Republic of Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovak Socialist Republic
People's Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
Finnish Democratic Republic
German Democratic Republic
Political Committee of National Liberation (Greece)
People's Revolutionary Government of Grenada
People's Republic of Hungary
Hungarian Soviet Republic
Democratic Kampuchea
People's Republic of Kampuchea
Mongolian People's Republic
People's Republic of Mozambique
People's Republic of Poland
People's Republic of Romania
Socialist Republic of Romania
Somali Democratic Republic
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
Tuvinian People's Republic
Democratic Republic of Vietnam
People's Democratic Republic of Yemen
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

Socialist and Leftwing:

These are countries whose constitutions make references to socialism, but do not subscribe to Marxist-Leninist ideology. As such, they represent a wide variety of different interpretations of the term socialism.

Current:

Republic of Nicaragua
People's Republic of Bangladesh
Arab Republic of Egypt
Cooperative Republic of Guyana
Republic of India
Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
Portuguese Republic
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
Syrian Arab Republic
United Republic of Tanzania
Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
Republic of Bolivia
People's Democratic Republic of Algeria
Democratic Republic of Madagascar
Republic of Bulgaria
Republic of Chile
Republic of Ecuador
Republic of Costa Rica
State of Eritrea
Oriental Republic of Uruguay

Former:

People's Democratic Republic of Algeria
Republic of Bolivia
Burkina Faso
Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma
Republic of Cape Verde
Republic of Ghana
Republic of Guinea
Republic of Guinea-Bissau
Republic of Indonesia
Republic of Iraq
Democratic Republic of Madagascar
Republic of Mali
Republic of Nicaragua
Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe
Republic of Senegal
Republic of Seychelles
Democratic Republic of Sudan
Republic of Suriname
Tunisian Republic
Republic of Uganda

Former states:

Socialist Republic of Chile (República Socialista de Chile)
United Arab Republic (now Syrian Arab Republic and Egyptian Arab Republic)
People's Republic of Zanzibar (now part of Tanzania)

Ephemeral:

These are short-lived political entities that emerged during wars or revolutions (mostly in the aftermath of World War I) and declared themselves to be socialist under some interpretation of the term, but did not survive long enough to create a stable government or achieve international recognition.

Alsace Soviet Republic
Azerbaijan People's Government
Bavarian Soviet Republic
Bessarabian Soviet Socialist Republic
Bukharan People's Soviet Republic
Donetsk-Krivoy Rog Soviet Republic
Asturian Socialist Republic
Estonian Workers' Commune
Far Eastern Republic
Finnish Socialist Workers' Republic
Galician Soviet Socialist Republic
German Socialist Republic
Hunan Soviet
Chinese Soviet Republic
Khorazmian People's Soviet Republic
Lithuanian-Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic
Republic of Mahabad
Mughan Soviet Republic
Soviet Republic of Naissaar
Paris Commune
Persian Socialist Soviet Republic
Republic of South Vietnam
Slovak Soviet Republic
Turkestan Socialist Federative Republic
Democratic Republic of Yemen

The complete article with references that this information came from can be found at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_socialist_countries

The flags on the wall of Obama's Houston campaign office are Cuban flags with well known Communist mass murderer Che Guevara's likeness on them.



Soap Box Ravings says when we become a socialist country we will join a long list of other failure countries; past, present and still failing.. But those who do not learn from history are doomed to continually repeat history.

Today Limbaugh reported that some large newspapers had come out in support of John McCain. He also reported that reporters from those newspapers now supporting John McCain were immediately banned henceforth from traveling on Obama One with Barack Hussein Obama. Coupling that report with the TV stations that Obama and Company will no longer allow interviews with; it looks like the media is about to reap the results of what they have sown.

Is It A Scam, Or Perhaps Information Mining

This coupon came in a loaf of bread. So I thought, what the heck and went on-line. The site asked me about three questions and then it told me I was not eligible for the survey.

Wrong answer I thought since by responding I had already participated in the survey. So I sent Pepperidge Farm an e-mail pointing out the coupon did not say I would get the $3.00 coupon if I was eligible but that I would get it by participating which I did. Pepperidge Farms said they would mail me a coupon and they did.

About a week later, my sister-in-law took the survey all the way to the last question where she was informed she was not eligible for the coupon. Last I heard she was on the phone looking for someone to explain why she did not rate a coupon.

Soap Box Ravings can not help but wonder what kind of nitwit wrote this survey program. I ran in-house and post graduate surveys for a large Department of Defense school prior to retiring and anyone that responded was included in the survey. The question therefore is this a poorly administrative legitimate survey (in which good and not so good answers should be recorded) or is this a information mining scam looking to get e-mail addresses. Either way it doesn't appear to be helping the good name of Pepperidge Farms.

I Can't Help But Feel We Are In Deep Doo-Doo

"The ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all."

-- John F. Kennedy

Justifiable Homicides, My Take

In a recent article, I read that some law enforcement analysts say the increased number of justifiable homicides (the killing of a person during the commission of a felony by a private citizen or by a police officer under the color of law) reflects a shoot-first philosophy in dealing with crime.

These same law enforcement analysts say the numbers represent changing attitudes on the streets where some citizens are taking more responsibility for their own protection and where police have often felt more threatened by better armed offenders.

The complete article may be found at:
http://www.officer.com/web/online/Top-News-Stories/Justifiable-Homicides-at-Highest-in-Decade-/1$43712

Soap Box Ravings is not a law enforcement analyst. But he can not help but wonder what affect the general populations attitude shift towards the law has upon this subject of justifiable homicides. Any police officer can tell you that respect for the law, whether it be traffic law (e.g. stopping for a stop sign or speed limits) or the criminal code, the populations attitude has undergone a major negative shift in respect for the law for the last 40-50 years. And with each new year it seems to shift even more.

With more people committing home invasions and car jackings, etc. it is no wonder there are more justifiable homicides. Soap Box Ravings believes if the number of people committing these crimes decreased, the number of justifiable homicides would also reduce.

From another angle, this sentence was taken directly from the article in question:

"In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court in June carved out a right to individual gun ownership, ruling that the Second Amendment allows citizens to keep guns in their homes for self-defense."

As a point of fact, the US Supreme Court did not "carve out a right to individual gun ownership." That right is provided for by the Second Amendment in the "Bill Of Rights." The Supreme Court only reaffirmed that right.

Soap Box Ravings feels the hand of a liberal in the writing of the article. There are other presentations in the article to prove my point, this was just the most glaring one.

When Soap Box Ravings was on the job, either in the US Navy or with the Police Department, this quality of work (the article) was unacceptable by any of his supervisors.

It Seems To Me

This is a picture of the MV Faina presently being held by Somalian pirates. This rusty tub is only noteworthy because it's cargo consists of 33 Russian T-72 tanks plus a collection of other armaments which originated in Ukraine and were bound for the government of Kenya.

Now this ship with it's 20 crew members and cargo sits anchored near the Somali port of Hobyo. The Somali pirates have repeatedly threatened to blow up this ship if ransom is not paid.

Pirates armed with Kalashnikov rifles and rocket launchers and using skiffs mounted with high-powered engines launched from "mother ships" disguised as fishing boats, prowl the waters off the Somali coast looking for prey in the local shipping lanes.

The MV Faina, slow, low-sided and sailing under a Belize flag seemed like a good catch. Normally ships are ransomed for somewhere between .5M and 2M dollars, making a hefty yearly profit for the pirates.

But the ship's Faina's cargo, 33 Russian T-72 tanks and other armaments, set off alarms around the world resulting with the Ukraine and Kenya finding themselves in an arms scandal since the arms are suspected of going to Sudan via Kenya.

On the pirates side they say if they could earn money other ways, such as the fishing they used to do....they would.

Soap Box Ravings can't help but wonder a couple of points:

1. If it costs a minimum of a half million dollars to ransom a ship would it not be cheaper to contract with a company, such as Blackwater Worldwide, to put a security team on board a vessel sailing through troubled waters.

When we look at the picture of the MV Faina, even though the sides are low for a ship, they are a good bit above the pirate skiff tied alongside. Coming over the "gunnel's" under fire is no more glamorous today than it was in Blackbeard's' time.

Even if the ship is attacked by RPGs the security team should be able to respond with enough effect to discourage the pirates. There are a lot more places the missile could hit without doing critical damage than there is for critical damage.

However, once the pirates receive incoming fire, their attitude will probably change somewhat.

2. The pirates claim that they would go back to fishing if they could seems somewhat unbelievable. When you can get from .5M to 2M per ship and you can grab roughly 60 ships per year Soap Box Ravings does not believe that all the fisherman in Somali ever made 30+ million dollars throughout Somali history total.

It Was Past Time To Go Fat Boy

Richard Cooey, the man who murdered University of Akron students Wendy Offredo and Dawn McCreery 22 years ago was executed today in Ohio. He had claimed his obesity would make his execution by lethal injection inhumane.

Cooey and a co-defendent were convicted of raping and killing Wendy Offredo, 21, and Dawn McCreery, 20, in 1986 while on leave from the US Army. The two men carved the Offredo and McCreery's bodies with a knife after repeatedly raping them and choking and beating them to death.

Soap Box Ravings asks what responsibilities does the State have to the victim(s) of heinous crimes. Did Cooey humanely kill his victims? I think not.

When a person has committed a crime serious enough to call for their execution Soap Box Ravings feels their appeal should be seriously and expeditiously carried out. But Soap Box Ravings also feels that Inmate Cooey should not have been held long enough to gain 70 pounds. Once the review was completed, Cooey should have been executed.

Soap Box Ravings often asks with the bastardization of our criminal system perhaps executions should be banned. Years ago an article in Florida said it cost about 3 million dollars for an appeal and each executed State prisoner had three appeals before they were executed. I am not sure it is worth nine million dollars to execute someone. Perhaps the sentence should be Life Without Parole.

The McCain - Palin Tradition

Soap Box Ravings loves Hank Williams Jr.'s performance of The McCain-Palin Tradition, a take off of his song Family Tradition, which he performed at a McCain-Palin Rally 13 October 2008 in Richmond, VA.

A hearty "Bravo Zulu" Hank for this song.

The words are provided for your pleasure below.

McCain - Palin Tradition
By Hank Williams Jr.


The left wing liberal media have

Always been a real close knit family

But, most of the American People

Don't believe em anyway ya see

Stop and think it over

Before you make your decision

If they smell something wrong

They're gonna come down strong

It's a McCain - Palin tradition


Now this old Union's got problems

That is plain to see

The Democrats bankrupted Fannie Mae N Freddie Mac

Just like one, two, three

The bankers didn't want to make all those bad loans,

But Bill Clinton said you got to

Now they want a bail out, what I'm talking about

Is a Democrat liberal who doo, to me an you



John N Sarah tell ya

Just what they think

And they're not gonna blink

they don't have terrorist friends

to whom there careers are linked

Yes John is his own man

And Sarah fixed Alaska's broken condition

They're gonna do just fine

We're headed for better times

It's a McCain - Palin tradition



I am very proud of our country's name

But no society is perfect And we have had our stains

If I'm down at the coffee shop and

Somebody wants to give our flag friction

We say please move on

We are standing strong

That's an old John McCain tradition



John N Sarah tell ya

Just what they think

And they're not gonna blink

And they're gonna fix this country

Cause they're just like you N ole Hank

Yes John is a maverick

And Sarah fixed Alaska's broken condition

They're gonna do just fine

We're headed for better times

It's a McCain - Palin tradition



Some are bound to tell you I'm

Preaching to the choir

And that is very true

And we are going even higher

Like a mama bear in Idaho

She'll protect your family's condition

If you mess with her cubs

She's gonna take of the gloves

It's an American female tradition



Ya I wanta know Sarah

Why do ya hunt

John why do you fish

How can she be so smart and savvy

Such a hey good - looking dish

Yes John is his own man

And Sarah fixed Alaska's bad condition

Their gonna get it right

We're gonna see the light

It's a McCain-Palin tradition

Until the censors get ahold of it, you can hear this version of The McCain-Palin Tradition on U Tube at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S81brjpteDk

One Bad Apple Screws Everything Up

JOSEPH A. SLOBODZIAN, of the Philadelphia Inquirer reported on 10/13/08 that the Pennsylvania parole freeze was bloating the prison population. Knowledgeable prison folks wonder how the system will hold up without the monthly release of 1,100 parolees.

Pennsylvania Governor Rendell halted paroling state inmates, in response to the killing of Philadelphia Police Officer Patrick McDonald by a paroled felon.

Governor Rendell named John S. Goldkamp, head of Temple University's criminal justice department, to do a top-to-bottom review of how the Board of Probation and Parole decides who gets paroled. The Gov.'s spokesman Chuck Ardo said. "Clearly, the danger posed by an error for a citizen outweighs the impact on the system."

Betty Jean Thompson, of Citizens United for Rehabilitation of Errants (CURE), said she found the wholesale halt to parole illogical: "If a surgeon kills his patient, we don't stop all surgeries."

The complete article can be found at:

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/pa/20081013_State_parole_freeze
_bloating_prison_populations.html

Soap Box Ravings says if a surgeon kills his patient perhaps we should stop all of the surgeons surgeries until we identify the cause along with any new precautions to be taken prior to and during surgery.

As a ex-Probation Officer, Soap Box Ravings understands that some incarcerated felons are negatively affected by this. However, they were incarcerated because of their actions and this should be seen as part of their learning experience...for those capable of learning. For those not capable of learning, or those who choose not to learn, they will certainly recycle through the system still believing their problems are someone else's fault.

Soap Box Ravings sends a hearty "Bravo Zulu" to Pennsylvania Governor: Ed Rendell (D)

A Great Idea

Members of Congress should wear uniforms like NASCAR drivers, so we could identify their corporate sponsors.



While Soap Box Ravings did not invent this idea, he heartily endorses it.

Keep A Wary Eye On Your Firearms

On 09/05/08, Christopher Cooper reported from Duryea, PA that during a small political event at SCHOTT North America Inc., a glass factory in Duryea, Pa., where even a hand-picked crowd threw Barack Obama a curve ball.

During the event, a woman told Obama she had “heard a rumor” that he might be planning some sort of gun ban upon being elected president. Obama trotted out his standard policy stance, that he had a deep respect for the “traditions of gun ownership” but favored measures in big cities to keep guns out of the hands of “gang bangers and drug dealers’’ in big cities “who already have them and are shooting people.”
“If you've got a gun in your house, I’m not taking it,’’ Obama said. But the Illinois senator could still see skeptics in the crowd, particularly on the faces of several men at the back of the room.

So he tried again. “Even if I want to take them away, I don’t have the votes in Congress,’’ he said. “This can’t be the reason not to vote for me. Can everyone hear me in the back? I see a couple of sportsmen back there. I’m not going to take away your guns.’’

Soap Box Ravings believes that when you combine his actual statement with his past demonstrated behavior that Barack Hussein Obama will in fact come for your guns if he gets "the votes in Congress." He is backed by many wealthy people who are totally against the private ownership of firearms. The last go around demonized "assault rifles" and assault rifle look alikes regardless of the fact they were not assault rifles. Stand by, if he is elected, he will be after your firearms. Soap Box Ravings says be very wary of anyone who uses the word BUT in their response to anything you have an interest in; regardless of what it is.


Senator "Bill" Nelson and The Democrat Presidential Candidate Senator Barack Obama


This is a response Soap Box Ravings received from Senator Bill Nelson regarding Soap Box Ravings' comments forwarded to the Senator:

Please do not reply to this e-mail. If you need to send another message to Senator Nelson, please use the form on his Web site: http://billnelson.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm#email


Dear Soap Box Ravings:

Thank you for contacting me regarding the Supreme Court ruling in the case of D.C. v. Heller. As you are aware, this ruling upheld a constitutional right to own guns for self-defense and hunting.

In 1976, the District of Columbia's City Council passed legislation that strongly restricted firearms in the District. The law banned all handguns unless they were owned and registered in the District before 1977. The Court's 5-4 ruling on June 26, 2008, struck down the District of Columbia's 32-year-old ban on handguns as incompatible with gun rights under the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

I support the constitutional right to bear arms. I grew up on a ranch in the Florida countryside and have been a hunter since I was a boy. But, I also support efforts to reduce gun violence and promote firearms safety.

I will keep your views in mind whenever the issue of gun control is debated in the Senate. Your communication is important to me and enables me to serve you and the citizens of Florida.


P.S. From time to time, I compile electronic news briefs highlighting key issues and hot topics of particular importance to Floridians. If you'd like to receive these e-briefs, visit my Web site and sign up for them at http://billnelson.senate.gov/news/ebriefs.cfm=

Soap Box Ravings would like for any reader to note the use of the word "but" in the response. Soap Box Ravings spent 30 years in the military plus another 15 years in law enforcement where he handled and was responsible for many types of weapons large and small. Soap Box Ravings has been a qualified small arms instructor for over 25 years with certifications from the US Navy, the State of Florida and the National Rifle Association. Soap Box Ravings will bet a $100 to a donut that Senator Bill Nelson's support of efforts to reduce gun violence and promote firearms safety will be unreasonable and restrictive to firearms ownership.


Senator Mel Martinez


This is a response Soap Box Ravings received from Senator Mel Martinez regarding Soap Box Ravings' comments forwarded to Senator Martinez, the comments forwarded to him were the same comments forwarded to Senator Bill Nelson:

Dear Soap Box Ravings:

Thank you for contacting me regarding gun rights in Washington D.C. I appreciate hearing from you and would like to respond to your concerns.

It is clear to me that when our Founding Fathers drafted the Constitution, they included the Second Amendment to guarantee people the right to keep and bear arms. That right is an individual right that should be afforded the same protection as any other individual right in our Constitution. I can assure you that I will keep your thoughtful comments in mind should any gun control legislation come before the Senate during the 110th Congress.

In 1976, the City Council for District of Columbia passed legislation governing the regulation of handguns within D.C. On June 26, 2008, the United States Supreme Court issued a 5-4 opinion in District of Columbia v. Heller.In Heller the Supreme Court concluded that D.C.'s gun ban is unconstitutional because it requires that any firearms in the home be disassembled or use firearms for the core, lawful purpose of self-defense.

Despite this clear pronouncement from the Supreme Court in Heller,the D.C. government has not yet acted to correct its gun regulations. That is why I have supported H.R. 6842, the National Capital Security and Safety Act, which passed by the House of Representatives on September 17, 2008. This bill, like H.R. 6691 - the bill referenced in your letter - requires the District of Columbia to revise its firearms laws and regulations as necessary to comply with Heller.I hope this legislation will be supported by the Senate and have joined in Senator Hutchison's September 17, 2008 letter to Senator Reid calling for H.R. 6842 to be brought to a vote before the Senate as soon as possible.

Again, thank you for sharing your views with me. If you have any additional questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact me. In addition, for more information about issues and activities important to Florida, please sign up for my weekly newsletter at http://martinez.senate.gov.

Sincerely,

Mel Martinez
United States Senator


Soap Box Ravings would like the reader to note the absence of the word "but" and commends Senator Martinez for his stance on this matter. Do not get me wrong, Senator Martinez and I are not always in agreement but normally he waffles a lot less than Senator Nelson. Also, the fact that he signed his e-mail makes it seem like he also showed more interest in my concerns.

An Ideal Bumper Sticker

I'll keep my freedom, my guns
and my money...
you can keep your change!