236 years, 1 Month and 3 Days later, new events have been set into motion and a new revolution has begun. A new movement has also been started inspired by one nights protest. While this new movement is still young and finding it’s footing, has sent it’s FIRST Senator to the United States Senate.

Scott Brown may be the first, but Marco Rubio (FL), Pat Toomey (PA), Chuck DeVore (CA), and Michael Williams (TX) are also Tea Party Senators on their way to the US Senate. But how ironic is it that is starts in Massachusetts?

Samuel Adams might not think so. Let the New Tea Party Revolution begin.

BigGator5.net

This part of Greer’s statement really pisses me off:

“I have never been a purist,” said Greer, whose resignation is effective Feb. 20. “I believe our party stands for principles and values that should always allow everyone who has an interest in being a part of our party participate.”

Is this guy for real? I’m sorry, but this guy is a complete idiot. I cannot begin to count the ways this guy is brain dead, but let me break down this statement and show you.

Let me first start off with that purist crap. It is obvious to even Democrats that they need a spokesman for their local/state/national party chair in order to raise money and rally the base. So yes, in order to head a party, you must be a party purist.

If I wanted Democrat Party and Democrat-Lite Party, then I’d move to Europe. I want a clear, good choice people. This is why Bill Nelson is still in the Senate instead of a Republican. We just had to get put up a corrupt self-over-everything-else person other than a principle Republican. Pissed me off, because they forced me to vote for Nelson to send them a message! Then Greer again wants to send yet another self-serving opportunist politician! I am thankful that local Republican leaders are waking up and have learn the lesson of NY-23 (where the people should choose and not the party) and Katherine Harris (a self-serving opportunist does not equal a Republican).

This brings me to Greer’s biggest sin, his primary interference:

Former House Minority Leader Curtis Kiser, a stalwart Crist supporter, said Greer first rubbed him wrong in 2007 when the state party began wading into local GOP primaries around the state.

In one case that particularly angered Kiser, a county commissioner in rural Jefferson County near Tallahassee was told by state GOP staffers in 2007 that he couldn’t run for an open House seat in 2008 because the party already had a hand-picked candidate.

Where do I begin? The role of a political party is for people to come together who believe in the same things and then nominate a single person for a public office. They forget (much like the government) that they work for people, not the other way around. The National and State level parties are supposed to coordinate message and efforts, while the people set policy. The whole thing should work from the bottom-up, not the top-down.

Jim Greer lost sight of all of that and it is why he was forced out. He forgot that he was working for all Republicans in the state of Florida, not just for Charlie Crist or himself. Let’s just hope that John Thrasher knows his place and works for the Republican Party of Florida, not for himself.

BigGator5.net

(Via HotAir) Senator Max Baucus was not drunk on the US Senate floor. He did not keep repeating himself, over and over agin. He was not sluring his words at all. He did not cut off Senator Roger Wicker from the great state of Mississippi, right in the middle of a Republican rebuttal to Baucus’ silly claims. Senator Baucus did not make silly claims.

BigGator5.net

PS: And if you believe that, then I have a Five-Star Hotel in Dubai I can sell you… cheap!

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, ‘Fear not: for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.’*

That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.”

BigGator5

*From Luke 2:8-14, King James Version.

An aide to Rep. Bart Stupak (D. Mich.) coordinated opposition to a Senate compromise on the place of abortion in health care legislation this morning with the Republican Senate leadership, the Conference Catholic Bishops, and other anti-abortion groups, according to a chain of frantic emails obtained this morning by POLITICO.

Stupak, in an interview with POLITICO, called the Senate’s bill’s abortion position unacceptable[.]

(snip)

The emails suggest a previously unseen degree of coordination between the offices of Stupak and McConnell.

Stupak is the leader of a group of pro-life Democrats who say they’ll oppose the sweeping legislation if it uses government money to pay for abortion, while McConnell is firmly committed to killing the legislation. The fact that their offices have made common cause against the Senates health care compromise will likely further infuriate Stupak’s Democratic colleagues in the House, and demonstrates his willingness to stop any bill that doesn’t pass his test.

“Guys - when will we see your letters of opposition to the managers amendment?? We need them ASAP!” wrote Erika Smith, the Stupak aide, at 9:23 this morning, less than an hour after the amendment had become available.

The email’s recipients included key staffers for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, National Right to Life, the Family Research Council, as well as Autumn Fredericks Christensen, aide to a top pro-life Republican Joe Pitts, and Lanier Swann, a McConnell aide.

Or at least delay it until after Christmas. Although he denies it, aides and coalitions just don’t start working together on their own. With a united Republican front, I can only forsee one of two things will happen after conference:

1) The strong anti-abortion (which I support*) stays in and progressives bolt in mass.

2) The strong anti-abortion stays out and Blue Dogs bolt.

Either way, the American people win. Now I know I am assuming a lot. But I can hope and Obama is all about hope, no?

BigGator5.net

*Even though I am a Moderate Republican, I despise abortion and embryonic stem cell reseach. While I can go into a long rant on both subjects, I will just leave it at that for now.

“It’s a sovereignty issue” which has to be resolved by Iraqi leaders, the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Michael Mullen, told reporters during a visit to Baghdad.

Where have I heard something like that-

“We have no opinion on your Arab-Arab conflicts.”

Tell me I am wrong. Tell me Admiral Mullen’s comments doesn’t give Iran a green light to invade Iraq.

No, I don’t think Iran is going to invade in the next couple of days. That would be insane on Iran’s part. However Iran has no love for Iraq and I wouldn’t put it past them later down the road, if this boarder incursion isn’t delt with quickly and decisively. We should also make it very clear to Iran that we are not going to sit by while they break Iraq’s sovereignty and not be wishy-washy like Admiral Mullen just displayed. I mean, didn’t we sign a defence pact with Iraq?

By all means, I hope this leads to nothing. But I can’t help but see the parallels.

“Those that fail to learn from history, are doomed to repeat it.”

BigGator5.net

PS: Yes, I know it’s spelled Déjà Vu. However I didn’t want to see unicode in the URL or anything.

GOP.AM

From the site:

In a nutshell, GOP.AM is an online tool for converting really long website addresses into short ones so that you can share them with your friends via Twitter, IRC, Email, Campfire, etc.

There is not much to add, but I think this is a really good idea.

To test this baby out, follow this link to come back to this entry: http://gop.am/RUVw

It even gives you stats!

Original URL Length: 80 characters
GOP.AM URL Length: 18 characters
Shortened By: 62 characters

The number of sites is not infinite, so use wisely. I only grab one to check it out. There is also an abuse feature to prevent spamming or illegal use. I have to give props to Michael Steele for giving a thumbs up to this great tool.

BigGator5.net

WTF?? If the Progressive Movement hasn’t yet died of shame, someone should put a bullet in its head.

I couldn’t agree more.

Now I will not hide anything from you, I do not agree with PUMA’s 100% of the time. They want full on “Single-Payer” (Medicare and Medicaid for everyone, but they hate ObamaCare) and full troop withdrawal from Af-Pak-Iraq. I don’t think anyone here on RedState would become card carrying PUMA members anytime soon.

However they are clearly disillusion with their people in Congress. Even Stateofdisbelief via The Confluence thinks the Medicare compromise is a con:

[T]he Medicare compromised being described sounds more like a bait and switch con. From all reports, which are sketchy at this point since we haven’t been told the secret handshake and password, the program will be limited to a minute number of uninsured individuals over 55 and set to expire in 2014. And who knows when it would become effective or what it would cost the individual? You didn’t hear them say it would be at the same contribution rates for premium cost sharing as paid by those over 65 did you? Then why the hell should we make that assumption? Dean’s claim that “people over 55 can buy into [the medicare "compromise"].” is misleading at best, and dishonest in it’s form.

…

I don’t know about you but all of this is beginning to feel like mental waterboarding.

Ouch. They basicly don’t believe this is a good idea or even if this will even be the brought to the floor. You should read the whole thing.

If I was Obama, I would be dreading the upcoming elections. I foresee nothing for the Democrats but a huge pounding in 2010. The TEA Party movement is energizing a move of this country to fiscal sanity and those running for more taxes and speading will only get swept away.

BigGator5.net

TALLAHASSEE — Ending decades of bottlenecked ambitions for Central Florida mass transit, the Florida Legislature on Tuesday gave final approval to the SunRail train that’s expected to start carrying passengers in 2012.

The Orlando Sentinel gives us a good reason why the Florida Legislature shouldn’t have approve the SunRail, just a few paragraphs later:

And it sends much-needed cash to South Florida, where the Tri-Rail commuter train has been hemorrhaging money.

And I’ll give you other good reasons: Amtrak. Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac. US Postal Service. I suggest you read Glenn Beck’s “Arguing With Idoits” for all the juicy details on all of those epic boondoogles in government mismanagement into the “for profit” realm. It has and never will work. History has shown us time and again, that this will be a money blackhole for special interest. Sure we will get some temporary jobs building the thing, but it’s only temporary! We need permanent private jobs!

*pulls hair out*

But it gets worse! I can understand that Charlie Crist supports this boondoogle in the making, he called for the special session. However this should be a no brainer for Marco Rubio-

Rubio would not say whether or not he supports the SunRail deal.

…

“The bottom line is: Is it a transportation program? If the cost benefit analysis is a net positive for Florida, then that’s good. And that’s what it’s been in the past when I was there. If on the other hand it’s being sold because it will add a bunch of jobs to Florida, then I think the answer is no.”

WHAT?! That whole “cost benefit analysis” arguement for a government program is [beep]ing insane*. I- I just don’t know anymore. Obviously, someone hasn’t learn their lesson on the Tri-Rail. Better yet, someone give Mr Rubio a copy of Glenn Beck’s book as soon as possible and tell him to read the part (in the first chapter) about Amtrack. Now I am not a single issue person, but Mr Rubio should know better.

BigGator5.net

*Insane: Doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting different results.

Apparently, David Plouffe has had some trouble selling his new book, The Audacity to Win, and needs Sarah Palin’s help to generate some sales. Politico’s Ben Smith reports that Plouffe has launched an effort to outsell Sarah Palin for one day — tomorrow — as a means to generate some positive spin for his campaign memoir.

You can watch Plouffes’ pathetic plea on Hot Air, for I will not give dignity to such belly crawling. I am a snake fan and I find this really sad. You don’t see Sarah Palin begging people to buy her book to beat someone for a day, that is because she has (reportly, I haven’t read it… yet) a good book to sell.

I suggest you buy Going Rogue, if you haven’t already, tomorrow. Buy one for me (email me and ask for my mailing address) or for anyone tomorrow, even if you already have bought the book! Let us show this belly crawler that begging won’t get you anywhere.

BigGator5.net

PS: If you get Going Rogue for me, get it from Moe Lane’s site. Nothing against Ed Morrissey, but I owe Moe a lot. Peace out!

One of the biggest points that progressives make in making the case for ObamaCare is that when you are fired or leave your job, you will lose your health care insurance. Next time you hear this nonsense, you can tell them about a Real American Hero. Nope, GI Joe can’t help you with this one, but COBRA.

COBRA is short for the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986. Passed by congress and signed into law by President Reagan that, among other things, allows employees to continue health insurance coverage after leaving employment. Next time someone starts to tell you that there is nothing out there for employees to continue their current covage, you can give them a loud “COBRA! LALALALALALALA!” and explain to them about this wonderful program that is already in place.

You can also tell them that only 10% of people eligible for this program actually sign-up, so a lot of people who could have used it, didn’t. And thanks to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, they can now get a 65% covered by the government.

So what was once a fictional terrorist organization, is now a full throated government welfare program. Only in America.

BigGator5.net

NAIROBI, Kenya — Somali pirates seized a tanker carrying crude oil from Saudi Arabia to the United States in the increasingly dangerous waters off East Africa, an official said Monday, an attack that could pose a huge environmental or security threat to the region.

Naw, you don’t say?

The shipping intelligence company Lloyd’s List said the Maran Centaurus is a “very large crude carrier, with a capacity of over 300,000 tons.” Officials could not immediately say how many barrels of oil were on board, but its value would be in the millions of dollars.

There is not much more I can add. I also can’t copy and paste anymore of the article, because I might actually get angrier (if that is even possible).

The crazy left might point to this and say we should get off of oil. I point at this and think we should be drilling our own oil. The biggest people I know who supports drilling more(”Drill Baby, Drill!”), is Marco Rubio and Sarah Palin.

BigGator5.net

PS: I am currently reading Glenn Beck’s “Arguing With Idiots” (and I will be giving a review when I finish this great book) and I just finished the section on America’s Energy Future (I skip around since it’s a policy book and not an ongoing narritive). I will go into that chapter when I write the review. I’d just like to note that this is just another reason for us to drill for our own oil instead of relying on it from the Middle East/Venezuela.

Maurice Clemmons, the 37-year-old Tacoma man being sought for questioning in the killing of four Lakewood police officers this morning, has a long criminal record punctuated by violence, erratic behavior and concerns about his mental health.

Nine years ago, then-Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee granted clemency to Clemmons, commuting his lengthy prison sentence over the protestations of prosecutors.

“This is the day I’ve been dreading for a long time,” Larry Jegley, prosecuting attorney for Arkansas’ Pulaski County said Sunday night when informed that Clemmons was being sought in connection to the killings.

Michelle Malkin has more on the Maurice Clemmons’ case.

I know I am going to catch flack from Huckabee fans, but I have never liked Huckabee professionally. He might talk a good game, but his record as Arkansas’ Governor has a lot to be desired. The thing that stands out the most to me is the Wayne DuMond case. I shutter to think what he’ll do if he becomes president.

It’s nothing personal. His spirituality is an inspiration. His belief in humity is admiral, if not misplaced. I wish him all the luck in his career at Fox News, because his political career is now over.

BigGator5.net

PS: The Other McCain tells us how we can contribute to the slain officers’ memorial fund.

First off, let me tell you that Beck was amazing. On the radio, he’s just a voice. On TV, he’s a character. When you see him in real life, you realized the fire and depth this man has inside of him.

While he has been asking a lot of questions of late, it is not until now that Beck will tell us how we can get the answer and solve the problems. The idea behind the 100-Year Plan, is that it took Progressives 100 years for them to get where they are today. And it just might take 100 years to take it back. Since we don’t have a national leader, then maybe we need to tell our leaders to follow the followers.

To start out with, we need to be educated:

Education is key, and not just for our children. To that end, we will be conducting a series of conventions. These will be full-day experiences where you will be immersed in learning about topics ranging from self-reliance, community organizing, the economy and how to be a political force in your own neighborhood and country. The first one will be in Orlando at UCF Arena on March 27th. You will also be able to vote to have a convention in your region by clicking here.

I suggest you demand that there be one in your area. I’m lucky that the first one will be in my area (Orlando). My main focus will be on community organizing and how to be a politician. As you can see, I am sick of being a follower and want to see if I have what it takes to be a leader. On August 28, 2010, Beck will lay out The Plan on retaking America.

I do want to clear up a few things from Hot Air:

The China reference was only on how the Chiness have a 100-Year plan of their own. Beck only says that it is time we get our own 100-Year plan. He didn’t say anything about thinking like China, but we do need to compete One-On-One with China.

While Glenn Beck is not specifically for 3rd-parties, he thinks that the both the Repubican and Democratic parties are corrupt and out of touch with the American people. If this cluture of corruption doesn’t end soon, Glenn has three simple words: “So Be It!”.

Ok, right now I am falling asleep just writing this down. I will try and upload some pictures I got today on my own site. Peace out!

BigGator5.net

Shortly after the Boston Massacre, Captain Preston and his soldiers were arrested and a trial was set in Suffolk County. Officials wanted a fair trail to prevent retaliation from the British and from Moderates who haven’t chosen sides in the growing conflict between the UK and the Thirteen Colonies. However no one would step up to defend the soldiers. Desperate, Captain Preston wrote a pleading letter to John Adams. Adams, who would later become our Second President of the United States, could have said no and none would batted an eye. A leader in the Patriot movement and a newly elected member of the Massachusetts General Court, he did however agreed to defend the soldiers*.

John Adams later wrote about his involvement in his diary three years after the Massacre:

“I. . .devoted myself to endless labour and Anxiety if not to infamy and death, and that for nothing, except, what indeed was and ought to be all in all, sense of duty. In the Evening I expressed to Mrs. Adams all my Apprehensions: That excellent Lady, who has always encouraged me, burst into a flood of Tears, but said she was very sensible of all the Danger to her and to our Children as well as to me, but she thought I had done as I ought, she was very willing to share in all that was to come and place her trust in Providence.

“Before or after the Tryal, Preston sent me ten Guineas and at the Tryal of the Soldiers afterwards Eight Guineas more, which were… all the pecuniary Reward I ever had for fourteen or fifteen days labour, in the most exhausting and fatiguing Causes I ever tried: for hazarding a Popularity very general and very hardly earned: and for incurring a Clamour and popular Suspicions and prejudices, which are not yet worn out and never will be forgotten as long as History of this Period is read… It was immediately bruited abroad that I had engaged for Preston and the Soldiers, and occasioned a great clamour…

“The Part I took in Defence of Cptn. Preston and the Soldiers, procured me Anxiety, and Obloquy enough. It was, however, one of the most gallant, generous, manly and disinterested Actions of my whole Life, and one of the best Pieces of Service I ever rendered my Country. Judgment of Death against those Soldiers would have been as foul a Stain upon this Country as the Executions of the Quakers or Witches, anciently. As the Evidence was, the Verdict of the Jury was exactly right.

“This however is no Reason why the Town should not call the Action of that Night a Massacre, nor is it any Argument in favour of the Governor or Minister, who caused them to be sent here.” -March 5, 1773

Q: What do you call 5000 dead lawyers at the bottom of the ocean?
A: A good start!

We all have a lawyer joke or two. You may even hate or dislike lawyers, or be one yourself. However when you are in legal trouble, you too will find yourself calling on a lawyer. Even someone as evil as Nidal Malik Hasan should get a fair shake before a Jury of his peers and that also means having good representation. If the evidence is clear, there is no doubt in my mind that he will be found guilty and that punishment will be equal to his crime.

We cannot guess their motives. So I plead with you that we do not demonize Hasan’s lawyers. It may not be happening here, but do not let people elsewhere go unchallenged. They are only following a honorable tradition set forth by John Adams and honoring all those who died to make this a great country.

BigGator5.net

*Back in the day, public office was consider a part-time job. In fact, US Constitution forces congress to meet at least once a year, because the founders didn’t think they would showed up unless forced to do so. Back in John Adams’ day, it was not unusual for them to work their profession while at the same time they had state or even federal office.

Today is the day of the fair.

I am not doing it because it is cool or because someone said I should do my civic duty or for any glory. I volunteered to help our honorable veterans (and I want to marry a soldier, but that’s a different story). Don’t just volunteer just to volunteer. Find something you think is a cause worth doing and do it. Go and make a difference in this world your way, not because someone’s else way.

BigGator5.net

Update: (1:24pm) Suspect is Jason Rodriguez. May be former employee in building. Will have link when I get it.

He is consider armed and dangerous. They are looking for him in the building. See below.

Update: (1:30pm) Get-a-away car: 2002 Silver Nissan SUV, TAG Number D119UX

Update: (1:36pm) WESH (NBC) is reporting at least 8 shot. WOFL (FOX) confirms.

Personal thoughts: Gah! This is just plain horrible. Two mass shootings in two days. So senseless. This is not the answer people.

Update: (1:46pm) Jason Rodriguez is said to be wearing Blue Shirt and Jeans.

Update: (1:50pm) Listen to live updates at WFLA.

Update: (2:05pm) FBI is involved.

Update: (2:10pm) OPD says 6 Shooting Victims, not 8. Some people had barricade themselves in their offices. People are being questioned.

Update: (2:30pm) Jason Rodriguez has been apprehended! OPD Chief thanks all who worked to get this guy.

No more updates. You can check out FOX News for the latest updates or listen to local radio WFLA.

BigGator5.net

WASHINGTON — Congressional Democrats lost a key vote in the health-care debate Thursday, when U.S. Rep. Suzanne Kosmas, D- New Smyrna Beach, said she would go against her party and oppose its $1 trillion-or-more plan to cover more uninsured Americans.

The defection comes just shy of an expected Saturday vote on the plan and makes it tougher for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to corral the necessary 218 votes, as nearly every Republican is expected to vote against the proposal.

“As the bill stands right now, I am not going to be able to support it,” said Kosmas, who added that the measure is too expensive and doesn’t do enough to curb the rising cost of U.S. health care. “This is an extremely difficult decision, as you can well imagine.”

She joins Bart Gordon of Tennessee and Ike Skelton of Missouri, both House committee chairmen , in rejecting Pelosicare. Earl Pomeroy has no excuse now for going back on his word. Let’s give these three, three cheers for standing up for the people and rejecting this massive take-over of health care! Let’s hope more Democrats join them!

I want to note that I did see this on the front page of the Orlando Sentinal today. The local editorial people kind of lean left, but they are fair and have printed many Conservative columnists including, but not limited to, Charles Krauthammer. I would read the paper more often if I didn’t get most of my news off the internet.

BigGator5.net

Call me a RINO, but I think a case can be made that Civil Unions is compatible with Republican values. However Maine’s vote is not lost on me. You see, Maine is the Thirty-First state to ban Gay Marriage:

Gay marriage has now lost in every single state—31 in all—in which it has been put to a popular vote.

Only a handful have allowed Gay Marriage not by a popular vote:

Five other states have legalized gay marriage—starting with Massachusetts in 2004, and followed by Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Iowa—but all did so through legislation or court rulings, not by popular vote.

Now you might be scratching your head and wondering why this is huge. Well, as you know, people have been trying to pass a Gay Marriage Ban Amendment and they may now have a case that it could pass.

I like to think of myself as an amateur Constitutional Scholar and I know a few things about passing amendments. One of the ways an amendment can start, is if two-thirds (currently 33) of the state legislatures may apply to Congress for a constitutional convention. Writen into the amendment, can be a clause that it should be ratify by popular vote by three-fourths (currently 38) of the states.

There is currently a majority of states in which a majority of the people have chosen to ban Gay Marriage. A super majority has not been tested, but I believe that the people should be given that vote. I would personally vote against such an amendment, but I think the vote needs to happen (as long as it was a popular vote ratification instead of it being left up to the state legislatures).

BigGator5.net

PS: While I agree with Moe Lane that this vote in Maine was unfortunate, I have to admit that I voted for the Gay Marriage ban in Florida. I voted for the ban mainly because of what happen in Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Iowa. I rather a ban by popular vote over it being forced upon us by the few or by judges writing law from the bench. Bad law can always be repeal down the road, while activist judges/legislatures hurt us all. The first words of the Constitution says “We The People” and not “We The Judges/Few”.

Yesterday, the Marco campaign emailed me that they were lunching a new fundrasing website that “will be the most powerful online fundraising tool in Florida’s political history.” They did not disappoint.

It’s damning in it’s simplicity. The email I got said this about the site:

This site is a stark, moving and motivating reminder of what’s at stake in this election. It demonstrates how a picture worth 787 billion words can deliver a powerful message about the consequences of big government policies that threaten our economy and health care system, among other areas of American life.

“President Obama is my guy now!” And he will be Obama’s newest token “Republican” in the US Senate. Bad enough he is the Governor of Florida (barf), but if he goes to the US Senate he’ll be everyone’s problem.

I also like how CharlieandObama.com makes no bones about it being set-up and paid for by the Marco Rubio campaign. Unlike the “Truth About Rubio” site and the Charlie Crist “Downfall” video, in which cowards hide behind anonymous attacks.

BigGator5.net

PS: The real truth comes from Rush Limbaugh, who sums up Rubio as a “down-the-line Reagan conservative”. You cannot get a better endorsement if I do say so myself.