Great Quote

My grandfather once told me that there were two kinds of people: those who do the work and those who take the credit. He told me to try to be in the first group; there was much less competition.
Indira Gandhi

First Amendment To The Constitution

The First Amendment to the Constitution is written as:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.


Soap Box Ravings says the a key word in the First Amendment is "Congress."

The Muslim desire to build a memorial mosque to those who died at ground zero and those who would deter them has nothing to do with the First Amendment. The first Amendment applies to Congress.

In my opinion, the mosque will be a memorial to those 16 Muslims who attacked the United States on 9/11.

Soap Box Ravings would like to add that our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have been fired on from Mosques, many many times. Mosques are also known to stow arms and ammunition. Their Imams have been known to incite their "flock" to attack both believers (who either don't believe enough, or believe the wrong type of Islam) and infidels.

It takes very little imagination to foresee an Iranian supplied dirty bomb that would eliminate the financial areas of New York.

Of course all of the Democrats who did not want Dubai to run our ports because of the possibility of terrorists all support building a Muslim trophy mosque on ground zero.

I say ground zero because the landing gear of one of the aircraft used on 9/11 went through the Burlington Coat Factory building that will be removed to construct the mosque.

Soap Box Ravings looks forward to using all of his talents this November to shut out as many liberals as possible before they complete their destruction of this country.

Obama Supports Allowing Mosque Near Ground Zero

Soap Box Ravings says with his usual grasp of the situation and his lack of concern for public opinion, to say nothing of the direct insult intended by the Muslims lobbying for this mosque, Obama said "As a citizen, and as president, I believe that Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as anyone else in this country."

The full story can be found here: http://www.aolnews.com/nation/article/obama-backs-building-mosque-near-ground-zero/19593493

Hundreds Of Millions More Dollars Down The Crapper

Obama signs $600M border security bill into law

Soap Box Ravings would like to point out that on Friday the 13th our "Illustrious El Presidente" signed a $600 Million Dollar border security bill which will be a lot more expensive and a lot less effective than the Arizona Border Bill his Justice Department minions are fighting in federal court.

If all states passed and enforced laws regarding illegal immigrants and their employers the U. S. Treasury would have saved $600,000,000 dollars.

Obama's Real Reason For Suing The State Of Arizona

Signs Of The Times

Soap Box Ravings says there is no need for comment. These pictures speak for themselves.

Lest We Forget How They Really Think

Soap Box Ravings says now that this General has been tasked with saving President Obama's ass, moveon.org has removed the above ad from their website. Like Muslims, many progressives will say or do one thing while believing and holding true to values that are not in tune with the deeds they may have been coerced into doing; such as hiring Bushes General to try and win Obama's war.

The real fun will come when General Petraeus runs into the President in conducting the war. Our present President seems to be very thin skinned and does not accept feedback that differs, it is the old fantasy/reality conflict we all run into during life.

Terminology, It's So Important

New Public Health Medication

Internet Fable, With Pictures, Illustrate Reality

California:

The Governor of California is jogging with his dog along a nature trail. A Coyote jumps out and attacks dog.

1. Governor starts to intervene, reflects upon the movie "Bambi" and then realizes he should stop; the coyote is only doing what is natural.

2. He calls animal control. Animal control captures coyote and spends $200 testing it for diseases and $500 upon relocating it.

3. He calls veterinarian. Vet collects dead dog and spends $200 testing it for diseases.

4. Governor goes to hospital and spends $3,500 getting checked for diseases from the coyote and on getting bite wound bandaged.

5. Running trail gets shut down for 6 months while wildlife services conduct a $100,000 survey to make sure the area is clear of dangerous animals.

6. Governor spends $500,000 of state funds implementing a "coyote awareness" program for residents of the area.

7. State legislature spends $2 million investigating how to better handle rabies and how to possibly eradicate the disease.

8. Governor's security agent is fired for not stopping the attack and for letting the Governor intervene. A cost of $75,000 to train new security agent.

9. PETA protests the coyote relocation and files suit against the state.




Arizona:

The Governor of Arizona is jogging with her dog along a nature trail. A Coyote jumps out and attacks dog.

1. Governor shoots coyote and keeps jogging. The Governor has spent $0.50 on a .45 ACP hollow point cartridge.

2. Buzzards eat dead coyote.

And that's why California is broke.

If Soap Box Raving's knew the originator of this fable, he would be happy to extend recognition.

Again I Say You Have To Love The Press/Media For Their Reporting Fairness

Critics Blast British Petroleum (BP) CEO for Attending Yacht Race as Oil Spews

Full story at: http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/06/19/critics-blast-bp-ceo-for-attending-yacht-race-as-oil-spews/?icid=main|htmlws-sb-n|dl1|link4|http%3A%2F%2Fwww.politicsdaily.com%2F2010%2F06%2F19%2Fcritics-blast-bp-ceo-for-attending-yacht-race-as-oil-spews%2F

Here is the first paragraph to set the tone of the article: Critics slammed BP's embattled CEO Tony Hayward for leaving the United States to attend a yacht race while the company's ruptured oil rig continues to disgorge thousands of gallons of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico.



Stressed Out or Tone Deaf? Obama Chicago Vacation Raises Eyebrows

Full story at: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/05/27/stressed-tone-deaf-obama-chicago-vacation-raises-eyebrows/

Here is the first paragraph to set the tone of the article: Presidents are never really off the clock, even when they go on vacation. But President Obama's decision to skip the traditional Memorial Day ceremony in Arlington while on his second vacation since the BP oil spill began has some wondering what the schedule says about his priorities.

Soap Box Ravings points out that prior to Tony Hayward's vacation, he was relieved of his day-day control of BP Petroleum. It is interesting that Hayward is vilified by the press and media while Obama is excused by the same people.

Congressman Grabs Citizen Asking Him A Question And Demands Identification

Congressman Ethridge physically grabs a man on the street by the arm who questioned him about his support of Obama's policies. Congressman Etheridge repeatedly demanded to know who he was talking to during this interaction. A few minutes later, after the man asked that Etheridge let go of his arm, Etheridge grabbed the man by the back of his neck and twisted him around so that Etheridge had one arm around his questioners shoulder.

I don't know about Washington, DC law, but in the State of Florida, Battery is basically defined as any unwelcome touch by another.


Soap Box Ravings is shocked that a Democrat Congressman would demand to know the name of his questioner when many of his Democrat peers including President Obama believe the Arizona Immigration Law in which an Arizona police officer will be allowed to ascertain the nationality of people they are dealing with.

Etheridge's behavior makes me believe you have to identify yourself to a Congressman before asking a question, but police officers in Arizona can not ask for your identity.

He Still Says He Is In Charge, What Is He Waiting For, The Spill Continues To Flow

Soap Box Ravings asks, "How much oil has flowed into the gulf in the 56 days before The man in charge asked for assistance. Whatever delay time in help arrival that existed before the request for help still exists. In fact now it may be worse, because much of the help was in standby ready to come to help. By now much of it has more than likely stood down since they were initially turned down.

56 days into the Gulf of Mexico oil disaster, Diane Sawyer announces the federal government is now actively seeking help from other nations.


Soap Box Ravings says we have learned that He will have His foot on the throat of British Petroleum (BP). He is going to ensure BP pays. He talks like a lawyer, but his inaction speaks volumes. I heard on the radio today that He compared 9/11 2001 with the Gulf Oil Spill as major disasters. The difference would be that in the days after 9/11, the sitting president exhibited leadership. Since we have a community organizer as President, He is trying to manage the glory with no idea how to solve the problem. Anyhow, that's a thought from the fleet.

I say to you, stand by for the cap and trade that will be forthcoming in His rush to make sure this disaster does not go to waste.

By the way, as I finish this post, the ABC Evening News announced that the oil sucked out of the ocean is being held in barges. This begs the questions, how many empty, non-leaking barges are available for oil storage and where will they park during this hurricane season? Even better, the tar balls being picked up off the beaches are going to landfills.

Remember, He is in charge, or so he says.

Remember, He Says The Government Is In Control. It Is, It Is, Really It Is.

NASA photo, but the spill is larger today than it was yesterday

Spill Response Group Holland, story at:
http://home.kpn.nl/ascc0000/Members.html, or
http://www.rnw.nl/english/article/dutch-oil-spill-response-team-standby-us-oil-disaster

U.S. not accepting foreign help on oil spill, story at:
http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/05/06/us_not_accepting_foreign_help_on_oil_spill

According to State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley "These offers include experts in various aspects of oil spill impacts, research and technical expertise, booms, chemical oil dispersants, oil pumps, skimmers, and wildlife treatment."

Democrats want to know, story at:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=printer_friendly&forum=389&topic_id=8402501

This is a picture of a ship (either the VALDEZ STAR or the SHEARWATER) designed to remove oil from ocean waters. Most of the boats seen on the evening news are towing oil retention booms to contain the oil floating on the surface.

OIL SKIMMERS VALDEZ STAR AND SHEARWATER, story at:
http://tris.trb.org/view.aspx?id=439690

Soap Box Ravings says a real leader would have suspended federal EPA Regulations in order to capture as much oil as possible as early as possible. Now, over 40 days into the crisis oil has mixed with sea water, dispersants have been used to sink the oil (remove it from sight) and every passing day the continuing oil flow increases the magnitude of the disaster. And as I write this, I still do not think the oil skimmers have been called for. Why you ask? Because EPA Regulations say no amount of oil can be allowed from the skimming ship back into the water. So these ships, used all over the world are only 75-99% perfect. Ergo, all of the oil is left in the water instead of removing 75-99%.

One of the oil spill's immediate victims

Obama Says Bush Started It

A Intelligent Voice In The Wilderness

President Obama with his personally selected Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano (No intelligent voices here)

The oil spill continues off the coast of Louisiana and British Petroleum (BP) with all of their oil well specific knowledge does not seem able to contain the spill or stop the leak.

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano vowed today that the Coast Guard would take greater control of the response and ensure that "every federal resource that can be deployed is being deployed."

President Obama with his personally selected Interior Secretary Ken Salazar (No intelligent voices here)

Over the weekend, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar indicated the government might somehow replace BP as chief responder to the spill.

USCG Admiral Thad Allen (An intelligent voice in the wilderness)

The Coast Guard's Commandant today contradicted Salazar's statement, by saying there is no plan to remove BP. "To push BP out of the way would raise the question: Replace them with what?" Allen said.

Soap Box Ravings says here you have it laid out right in front of you. The Liberal response made by Secretaries Napolitano and Salazar is to "scream, shout and run about." They want to use more government to save the Gulf; to turn the full weight of the government loose (whatever that means).

Any fool can see that the US Navy and Coast Guard are not equipped to stop an oil leak 5,000+ feet under water. They have neither the equipment, knowledge or experience. The US Army, Air Force and Marine Corp also do not have any of the prerequisites.

Soap Box Ravings would think those in government at the Secretary level would understand these facts. Therefore, Soap Box Ravings believes these statements are made by these Secretaries to make the ignorant and uninformed believe the problem is being taken care of while the situation continues. Our present government is interested in blame, not necessarily problem resolution. As they say, never waste a good crisis.

Soap Box Ravings says Thank You to Admiral Allen for saying out loud the obvious. Your voice, which will probably be over run or ignored until he can be replaced by a proper fellow traveler is refreshing. This Retired Master Chief salutes you Admiral Allen for the way you are doing your job. Duty, Honor, Country; some folks out there still believe.

Hundreds Of Millions Spent With Minimal Results, Your Government At Work

Getty Images

Headlines at: http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/05/23/more-high-tech-setbacks-for-border-security/ reveal More High-Tech Setbacks for Border Security

Obama administration's recent surprise decision to suspend new work on a multibillion-dollar high-tech border control system -- the third attempted since 1997 -- raises further questions about the government's ability to do the job and secure our borders.

The upshot is, hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent to close the border to illegal aliens, drug traffickers, terrorist and smugglers of all types and we have very little to show for the money spent.

Soap Box Ravings proposes that the United States copy the applicable Laws of the Republic of Mexico. Should you try to enter Mexico as an illegal alien, a drug trafficker, terrorist or smuggler of any sort you will find yourself in a Mexican prison.

So it's simple folks, adapt Mexican law. The beauty is those crossing from Mexico already are aware of Mexican law so there would be no training involved.

Obama's Mexican Pal Calderon Calls For Reinstatement Of Failed US Gun Ban

On Thursday, May 20, 2010, Felipe Calderon, the president of Mexico, where prohibitive gun laws prevent good people from having firearms for protection against criminals and governments of dubious legitimacy (historically the norm in Mexico), encouraged Congress to reinstate the federal "assault weapon" ban. With a warning seemingly designed to appeal to those who believe that speaking out against the Obama Administration's policies are one step short of sedition or worse, Calderon said, "[I]f you do not regulate the sale of these weapons in the right way, nothing guarantees that criminals here in the United States with access to the same power of weapons will not decide to challenge American authorities and civilians."

Calderon also misinformed Congress, claiming that violence in Mexico rose significantly after the U.S. ban expired in 2004. In fact, Mexico's murder rate has been stable since 2003 and remains well below rates recorded previously. However, he did not explain why violent crime has declined significantly in the U.S. since the ban expired, or how a ban on flash suppressors and bayonet mounts relates to drug thugs in Mexico or anywhere else.

Notwithstanding the Washington Post's judgment that Calderon "made a powerful case," we suspect his speech fell on mostly deaf ears in Congress and in Arizona, which he inappropriately criticized for having an illegal immigration enforcement law that is similar to Mexico's. But it had some effect, however. New York Democrat Rep. Carolyn McCarthy issued a statement incorrectly claiming that she has repeatedly introduced legislation to "reinstate" the ban. She has repeatedly introduced legislation, of course, but not to reinstate the ban. Rather, her bills have proposed to apply the "assault weapon" label to far more firearms than were covered by the expired ban, including the M1 Garand service rifle, the ubiquitous Ruger 10/22, and any semi-automatic shotgun or rifle a future attorney general might claim is not "sporting."

Copyright 2010, National Rifle Association of America, Institute for Legislative Action. This may be reproduced. It may not be reproduced for commercial purposes.
11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030 800-392-8683

Soap Box Ravings reminds readers that the military grade weapons (fully automatic) being used in Mexico by drug gangs are not normally available in this country. Many weapons used in Mexico came from the Mexican military after their owner was killed or they left the military to participate in the services of the drug lord involved.

Many other weapons have been purchased on the worldwide black market from illegal arms dealers who deal in military weapons.

United States Federal Firearms Regulations (in a nut shell):

It has been unlawful since 1934 (The National Firearms Act) for civilians to own machine guns without special permission from the U.S. Treasury Department. Machine guns are subject to a $200 tax every time their ownership changes from one federally registered owner to another, and each new weapon is subject to a manufacturing tax when it is made, and it must be registered with the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (BATF) in its National Firearms Registry.

To become a registered owner, a complete FBI background investigation is conducted, checking for any criminal history or tendencies toward violence, and an application must be submitted to the BATF including two sets of fingerprints, a recent photo, a sworn affidavit that transfer of the NFA firearm is of "reasonable necessity," and that sale to and possession of the weapon by the applicant "would be consistent with public safety." The application form also requires the signature of a chief law enforcement officer with jurisdiction in the applicant's residence.

Since the Firearms Owners' Protection Act of May 19, 1986, ownership of newly manufactured machine guns has been prohibited to civilians. Machine guns which were manufactured prior to the Act's passage are regulated under the National Firearms Act, but those manufactured after the ban cannot ordinarily be sold to or owned by civilians.

(Sources: talk.politics.guns FAQ, part 2, "FAQ on National Firearms Act Weapons", and from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, National Firearms Act FAQ. See also, "The Firearms Owners' Protection Act: A Historical and Legal Perspective" [Hardy, 1986]) )

Twenty-five states have no further restrictions on civilian ownership of machine guns (some require registration with the state) than what is required by federal law. Other states have either placed further restrictions or outlawed operable machine guns to civilians entirely. For further details see NRA state firearm law summaries.

Based on the above information, Soap Box Ravings points out that machine guns (fully automatic weapons) can not change hands, be created or destroyed without the involvement of the federal government. If you own one, the federal government is watching it.

You would think that a politician trained as a constitutional lawyer would know all of this.

Calderon's Dissing Continues And The Democrats Applaud It

UPI/Kevin Dietsch

In a speech to a joint session of Congress, Mexican President Calderon spoke against guns in the United States and also offered blistering comments about the Arizona immigration law. Calderon, who obviously has not read the Arizona Statues in question, repeated Obama's statements that the statutes use racial profiling as a basis for law enforcement.

Many Democrats present applauded Calderon's input.

Soap Box Ravings opinion is the dissing continues. President Obama, President Calderon and all of the applauding Democrats have shown their lack of respect for Congress and the United States of America.

Neither Obama or Calderon will admit that many of the weapons used by criminals in Mexico were either stolen Mexican military weapons or purchased on the black worldwide market. Many of those weapons are fully automatic weapons. I challenge anyone reading this to locate and purchase a fully automatic weapon in this country.

The weapons that many Mexicans do buy illegally in our country and take back to Mexico are common hunting rifles, revolvers and semiautomatic pistols they use for their own self defense.

It is illegal to purchase them and take them to Mexico, but the Mexican government does not allow their ordinary people to own weapons for self defense. However, again, they are not full automatic weapons.

Neither Obama and Calderon seem to have read, nor do they intend to read the Arizona Statute they are complaining about. They do not interested in allowing facts to get in the way of their personal political gain.

Another "Never Waste A Good Crisis"

The Deepwater Horizon oil spill (aka the British Petroleum (BP) oil spill or the Gulf of Mexico oil spill)is a massive, presently ongoing since April 20, 2010, oil spill stemming from a sea floor oil gusher in the Gulf of Mexico. The spill started with an oil well blowout on April 20, 2010 which caused a catastrophic explosion on the Deepwater Horizon resulting in the loss of the offshore oil drilling platform about 40 miles South East of the Louisiana coast.

On May 3, 2010 President Obama cancelled the Interior Department’s 2010 Oil Industry Safety Awards luncheon at which British Petroleum was one of three finalists for a federal award program that would honoring offshore oil companies for “outstanding safety and pollution prevention.”

Soap Box Ravings would like to report that he heard his local radio station report at least four times yesterday (05-18-10) that federal inspectors had failed to do their jobs with regard to inspecting and regulating the Deepwater Horizon oil rig. Then the very next sentence was that a senator wanted to increase the regulations applicable to deep water oil drilling rigs.

Soap Box Ravings wonders why if federal employees fail to enforce regulations on the books why more regulations should be written to ignore. It would seem that that Senator and his or her peers would be more effective on another project such as: securing our borders, reducing taxes, repealing Obama's cursed health plan or solving the Social Security/Medicare crisis about to overwhelm the country.