For sometime our religious symbols have been the target of groups such as the ACLU, Americans United for Separation of Church and State and even our own court system.

The seven-foot tall, concrete and metal Mojave Desert Cross erected in the middle of the Mojave Desert near Barstow, CA was originally constructed in 1934 by the Veterans of Foreign Wars to honor our fallen heroes. The plaque read:

“The Cross, Erected in Memory of the Dead of All Wars” and “Erected 1934 by Members of Veterans of Foreign Wars, Death Valley Post 2884.”

In 2001 a former park service employee, Frank Buono, representing the ACLU sued to have the cross taken down arguing the government was endorsing a certain religion. A federal court of appeals ruled the cross violated the Establishment Clause of the Constitution and ordered it removed.

On April 28 of 2010 SCOTUS ordered the cross could stay, ruling the lower court did not take into consideration the government had decided to cede the parcel of land where the cross was erected to the VFW. During the time the case was under consideration the cross was ordered to be covered with plywood.

Several days after the SCOTUS ruling a park ranger went to repair the plywood which had been damaged and discovered the cross had been stolen: the bolts had been cut which anchored it to the bedrock. Here is Shepard Smith on Fox News reporting on the devastating and disgraceful news:

Thomas J. Tradewell, VFW National Commander had this to say after the theft was discovered:

This was a legal fight that a vandal just made personal to 50 million veterans, military personnel and their families.

It has been the intention of veterans groups to rebuild the cross and many volunteers have offered their services, legally the land still is not theirs and vowed to fight on. The cross has been rebuilt several times before, as it was originally built of wood which had not taken the elements well. In the 1990′s it was rebuilt of metal pipe.

On January 10, 2011, Liberty Institute with the assistance of the law firm of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius in LA are suing the Feds to force them to deed the one acre plot of land to the veterans so the cross can be rebuilt. Plaintiffs in the case are VFW Post 385 and VFW Department of California. Defendants are Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar; Christine S. Lehnertz, Regional Director, Pacific NW Region of the National Park Service and Dennis Schramm, Superintendent of the Mojave National Reserve. The complaint is below:

Mojave Lawsuit

Liberty Institute filed the suit because the Obama administration is:

1. REFUSING to transfer ownership of the land, on which the Mojave Desert Memorial has stood, to the VFW, as directed by a 2003 Act of Congress.
2. NEGLECTING to replace the Mojave Desert Cross, the only national WWI Memorial designated by the United States Congress.
3. IGNORING a joint letter from the National Commanders of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, The American Legion and Military Order of the Purple Heart politely asking for the President’s help in restoring the monument.
4. TEAMING UP with the ACLU and asking the district court to not allow the veterans request to intervene in the case to protect their memorial, their land.

In 2003 Rep. Jerry Lewis orchestrated a “land swap” in which the one-acre parcel the cross sat on would be deeded to the Veterans in exchange for a 5-acre parcel donated to the government in another part of the Mojave Preserve by Wanda and Henry Sandoz. The lawsuit was filed to uphold the land transfer.

In another attack against our religious symbols, the liberal 9th Circuit Court of Appeals recently ruled the Mount Soledad Memorial Cross unconstitutional. Liberty Institute has this online petition, Don’t Tear Me Down, asking President Obama to appeal the 9th Circuit’s decision.

I’ll keep you updated on both.

Crossposted at Conservative Outlooks

Crossposted at Procinct.net

Anita Moncrief became politically famous is 2008 when she “blew the whistle” on the corrupt and infamous group ACORN.

Ms. Moncrief has become involved in a variety of Conservative Movements and is now the national spokesperson for American Majority. After covering in person the Harris County (Houston) Dem voter fraud debacle in Election 2010 Ms. Moncrief has formed a Tea Party in Houston called The Crispus Attucks Tea Party. From an email I received from her:

I wanted to introduce you to the new Tea Party group I started in Texas along with local black conservatives. We are based in a former ACORN neighborhood represented by Sheila Jackson Lee. We have been meeting/planning since late November, and our inaugural meeting is January 18th. The path has not been easy, and though we have been shut out of black churches and community centers, we managed to find a place literally two blocks from Sheila Jackson Lee’s home. She is of course invited.

FYI Rep. Jackson Lee was one of the “problem makers” during Election 2010 when she showed up at a polling place in violation of regulations.

Here is the formal press release:

Press Release New Tea Party

Ms. Moncrief is a true American Patriot and hero and we wish her success, although we know that she is successful in all that she does.

I’ll keep you updated.

Crossposted at Conservative Outlooks

Crossposted at Procinct.net

Update 1/7/11 6:00pm. Two San Diego area Congressmen, Rep. Brian Bilbray (R-Carlsbad) and Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-El Cajon) sent letters to US AG Holder & Defense Secretary Robert Gates in defense of the memorial.

A commanding and dramatic site. A testament to our War Veterans who have given their lives to Advance Freedom and protect our nation. Now in danger from leftist and liberal organizations like the ACLU, Americans United for Separation of Church and State and our own court system.

This time an outrage from the liberal 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, specifically Justice Margaret McKeown who penned the 50 page decision this week, stating the 43 foot tall Mount Soledad Cross which sits on federal land in a park just outside the city of San Diego violates the “Establishment Clause” of the Constitution, noted below:

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.

In reaching the decision the 9th Circuit overturned a previous ruling in 2008 by Justice Larry Burns who ruled in a previous lawsuit by Jewish veterans the cross is part of a memorial built for and in memorial of all veterans, not just those of any ethnicity or religion. The Cross now belongs to the Federal Government, specifically the Defense Department, the entity which now must intervene to save the cross from possible demolition. Not only is there a cross, but also 2,700 plaques dedicated to war veterans both living and deceased in 6 concentric rings.

The crux of McKeown’s decision states the Cross

“primarily conveys a message of government endorsement of religion that violates the Establishment Clause. This result does not mean that the memorial could not be modified to pass constitutional muster, nor does it mean that no cross can be part of this veterans’ memorial.”

Our national heritage seems to be in the crosshairs of liberal organizations and judges who are chipping away bit by bit at the ideals and religion this country was founded upon.

This Cross controversy has been in the court system for over 10 years, SCOTUS Justice Kennedy intervened in 2006 ruling for a stay after Congressional legislation and the voters of San Diego made their feelings known positively after the ACLU filed suit on behalf of an atheist who was apparently “offended” by the cross. If the “offendee” was “offended” this diarist sees no need for that “offendee” to attempt to limit access to the thousands of visitors who see the cross as a Beacon of Light and comfort for our veterans, those who made the ultimate sacrifice and their families. After all, it just sits there. There’s no coercion of any kind.

Gina Coburn, ironically a spokesperson in the San Diego attorney’s office and once a plaintiff claims the cross will have to be removed unless the 9th Circuit reverses their decision or SCOTUS intervenes.

I had the pleasure of speaking with Atty. Kelly Shackelford of Liberty Institute whose organization is representing the American Legion and has filed a brief asking the court to protect the monument. Liberty Institute also represents over 4 million veterans in their fight to preserve the Mojave Desert Veterans Memorial which also had a cross, pictured below, which was stolen back in May after SCOTUS “saved” it. This is akin to desecrating people’s graves.

Liberty Institute will be appealing to the Obama Administration and the US Justice Dept to intervene to save the Soledad cross. Their press release is here.

It seems we have an attempt at “religious cleansing” here, my folks. I wonder what the reaction would be had this been a mosque. Attorney Shackelford states:

“The Ninth Circuit’s opinion almost completely disregards the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Salazar v. Buono, in which the Court said that the Mojave Desert Veterans Memorial should stay,” said Kelly Shackelford, president/CEO of Liberty Institute. “This ruling is a slap in the face to our nation’s veterans, and we hope that the Justice Department will ask the U.S. Supreme Court to set the matter straight.” [snip]This is part of a national trend to remove crosses on federal land, regardless of whether the cross is part of something as sacred as a veterans memorial.”

We’ll have to see how the Justice Dept. and Obama handle this. After all, Obama was “called to task” by members of Congress in this letter for “misquoting history” in his speech in Indonesia last December. In the speech he called our national motto E pluribus unum when in reality it is In God We Trust. A deliberate misquote, an error or no teleprompter in site?

The letter is signed by 42 Congressmen.

As our Veterans Memorial Crosses seem to be toppling like dominoes, what is next to be targeted? The site below?

Crossposted at Conservative Outlooks

Crossposted at Procinct.net

Since the Feds have failed miserably to protect the 389-mile Arizona-Mexico border to keep drug traffickers and illegals from the US, a grass-roots group has proposed citizens take efforts into their own hands and build a wall themselves. The name of the group is The Great Wall of Arizona.

I have been in e-mail contact with Mr. David Garretson who is heading up the project, and I agree with him in the wake of a border patrol agent being shot and killed it is even more imperative to have a physical barrier. From their website:

“TheGreatWallOfArizona.org is dedicated to getting as many people as possible to the Arizona Mexico border to build a wall. Recent polls show that 68% of Americans think that there should be a physical barrier between the US and Mexico. TheGreatWallOfArizona.org is a grassroots movement to get that physical barrier built. Americans have a lot of different personal reasons for wanting to build a wall. Instead of getting caught up in all the different reasons TheGreatWallOfArizona.org strives to emphasis the common goal of building the wall. If you want to be a part of an American community that values actions more than words and you want to build a wall between Arizona and Mexico then join us here at TheGreatWallOfArizona.org by clicking on the Join button at the top right and let’s get the job done.”

Below are some questions asked and answered via e-mail by Mr. Garretson and can also be found on the site:

“Who actually owns the land?

The land on the Arizona-Mexico border is comprised of private, state, federal, and Indian Reservation ownership as well as Drug Cartel & Human Smuggler occupation.

How can private citizens just build a wall?

As annoying as the answer is how can we not? The Arizona State Government has stated that this is a Federal Government issue and actively pursues the issue as long as voters are watching. The Federal Government, through Janet Napolitano, has stated they have done their job securing the border and done it well! Yet we have all seen the signs warning American citizens not to travel in areas of Arizona due to safety concerns about the drug and human smuggling activities in the area. I think the last stat I read was 80 square miles of Arizona has been taken over by these invaders. If its not the States problem and the Federal Government doesn’t think its a problem then it is time for American citizens to stand up, take back some of the power they have lent to the government, and get the job done.

The border patrol agents, the local/county/state law enforcement agents, and citizens that have died because of our unsecured borders have lost their God given rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Since government is a reflection of the governed I can’t help but think “We The People” are responsible for those lives. Please don’t misunderstand me. I’m not suggesting a coup d’etat although some might right now.

“The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure.” – Thomas Jefferson.

What I am suggesting is a little healthy Civil Disobedience “Let every man make known what kind of government would command his respect, and that will be one step towards obtaining it.” – Henry David Thoreau

I admit this isn’t planned out to the Nth degree and wrapped in a pretty bow but my heart, my mind, and through prayer my soul agrees that it is altogether necessary. As of right now the plan is to ask the private citizens and the Indian Nations for the necessary land. As far as government owned lands the political pull of a few million people will hopefully be enough to allow us to build. If not we’ll re-evaluate our options.

How would you coordinate 2 million people?

We would use the talent of those that have volunteered. There are bound to be many military, law enforcement, and construction/engineer volunteers. We will tap them and their experience organizing large groups to come up with a game plan.”

This plan sounds reasonable to me. After all, this person tried to do something about it:

Then this person sued her:

And then this person castigated her in front of the whole world:

And this person, instead of protecting our borders:

Gave us this:

“Saliva samples wanted from 9 Troy Democrats”

A CSI episode? A mystery novel? No, this is the latest Dem voter fraud scheme which rivals even the most thought-out voter fraud corruption plan of PA#8. Dems in PA#8 sent out a phony letter from a phony organization and included a pre-paid envelope for voter absentee applications to be mailed to the Dem candidate’s campaign manager’s P.O. box.

Now the Dems are getting even bolder.

We aren’t talking absentee ballot applications this time. Here the Dems are accused of actually forging absentee ballots and voting for people who didn’t even know they voted! Below is the partial line-up of suspects:

Court documents released name city of Troy Councilman-At-Large John Brown, Council President Clement Campana, Democratic committee member Anthony DeFiglio, District 6 Councilman Gary Galuski, Councilman-At-Large Michael LoPorto and District 2 Councilman Kevin McGrath (all shown above), as suspects in the Working Families Primary absentee ballot fraud case. City Clerk William McInerney, Rensselaer County (NY) Democratic Elections Commissioner Edward McDonough, and Councilman Brown’s brother, Daniel, are also named in the State Police deposition.

Individual photos and description above by Mike McMahon and J.S. Carras/The Record.

This is quite an unusual case, so much so that special prosecutor Trey Smith has been brought in to collect DNA samples from most of the Troy city council, all of whom happen to be Democrats. The purpose of collecting the DNA is to try and match it to saliva on the absentee ballot envelopes.

The investigation swirls around the primary for Troy city council in 2009. Allegations are the Dems tried to steal the election by forging absentee ballots for the Bertha Lewis/ACORN/SEIU founded Working Families Party. And then voting using those forged absentee ballots. New York election law allows cross-endorsing of candidates which means candidates can be on the ballot for more than one party. Andrew Cuomo, Kirsten Gillibrand, Hillary Clinton, Eliot Spitzer and Chuck Schumer have all taken both the Democratic Party and Working Families Party line. And WFP isn’t just for Democrats. Embattled Dede Scozzafava took both the WFP and Republican Party line in her bid for US Congress.

Sarah Couch, a Working Families Party worker who has not been named in the investigation told state police Councilman LoPorto, pictured above, gave her what she believed was 30 absentee ballots which were wrapped in newspaper.

According to CBS Albany only DeFiglio so far has admitted any partaking in these activities and that low income people were targeted because they were less likely to ask questions later. DeFiglio goes on to say:

“I think Bill McInerney [City Clerk] got greedy. I understand that the activities I engaged in regarding the absentee ballots was at the very least unethical and at the most illegal.”

A week ago a Grand Jury began hearing testimony in secret from groups of witnesses who claim they never filled out absentee ballots, and were surprised to find out they “voted.” Prosecutor Smith is asking the Grand Jury to hand over indictments against Councilman LoPorto and the county’s Democratic election commissioner Edward McDonough.

In a video here Jessica Boomhower states investigators came to her home because her name appeared on one of the ballots in question and that she did not vote and she elaborates in a quote below:

“You’re taking a right as a citizen. I think that should be considered,” Boomhower said. “They’re taking someone’s right to vote. That’s not proper.

I did speak with Dave Canfield, the writer of The Record, a Troy newspaper where the above video appears, and he stated to me there is no way of knowing how long the Grand Jury proceedings will take. Since there will be a myriad of groups of witnesses called, it’s unknown whether or not the GJ, if they do issue indictments, will do so after each witness group or wait until the entire proceedings are finished.

And LoPorto’s attorney Michael Feit says he’s “worried” about the process. He maintains LoPorto’s innocence and had this to say:

“I was concerned that the people who are testifying before the grand jury are going to be testifying before jurors who had been exposed for over a year to this pretrial publicity.”

On December 8 Troy City Councilman Kevin McGrath, also pictured above, testified for more than two hours.

This investigation is expected to go on for months, and months and months…

Crossposted at Conservative Outlooks

Crossposted at Procinct.net

Please read my first two posts on this little Civil War chapel which has not only been embroiled in controversy but now the target of arsonists.

Post #1: Background of problems begun by the Borough of Gettysburg which forced the chapel to close its doors the same day of its “Remembrance Day” of those who perished on the battlefield of Gettysburg.

Post #2: The devastating news last week that the chapel was burned to the ground and several other buildings immediately adjacent, including a coffee shop and Rescue/Mission Center were severely damaged with people displaced.

Federal authorities and the Borough of Gettysburg Police Dept. have confirmed what all of us had suspected: this small chapel built with love and remembrance of those few horrible days on the fields of the Gettysburg Battle was indeed the victim of arson. Here is a reminder picture of that horrible day in the early morning hours of December 3:

Chaplain John Wega, who erected the chapel in 2006, ironically in the same lot as a previous fire in 2004, is devastated not only because his hard work has “gone up in flames” but mostly because he, myself and many others fail to comprehend such a heinous act. Especially one against a place of worship.

Gettysburg at first attempted to kick God out of town. Then they burned him out of town.

No, this chapel did not have a “congregation,” but it did hold Sunday Services from April til the end of November and was open 24/7 for anyone who wished to visit and reflect. Yes, the chapel was embroiled in some controversy. I am not going to rehash that in this post. You may read Post #1 noted at the beginning of this diary for the story.

Liberty Institute, the organization representing Chaplain Wega in his battle with the Borough of Gettysburg issued this press release today. Below are some excerpted remarks:

GETTYSBURG, Pennsylvania, December 7, 2010 – Four days after the Gettysburg Log Chapel, a reconstructed Civil War Chapel, burned to the ground, the Borough of Gettysburg has officially confirmed that the fire was caused by arson.

“We intend to rebuild what has become known as ‘America’s Chapel’ with the support of people of faith around the Nation and, hopefully, the cooperation of the Borough of Gettysburg,’” said Hiram Sasser, director of litigation for Liberty Institute. “While tragic, we also pray that the events of the last several days will serve as a reminder of the love of Christ and power of faith in this Christmas season. We are confident that the authorities will find the responsible parties and bring them to justice.”

Chaplain Wega did have insurance on the chapel however that can in no way replace the sorrow he is feeling at this time. Three white teenage males seen near the chapel right before the fire are being sought for questioning.

And interestingly enough, my research has told me both Chaplain Wega and the coffee shop next door which was damaged are both on the list of businesses and organizations who oppose the building of a proposed casino 1/2 mile from the Gettysburg Battlefield. More on this to come..

The writer of this diary has a magnitude of anger and sorrow that is incomprehensible at this point. For someone to deliberately set a building ablaze, for reasons apparently unknown at this moment, endangering lives, destroying property and putting people in the hands of the Red Cross because they are homeless is devastating.

The investigation is ongoing.

TO HELP

Anyone with information about the Friday morning arson of the Civil War Chapel is asked to call Gettysburg Police at 334-1168.

Adams County Crime Stoppers is offering a reward for information that leads to an arrest in this case. Tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers anonymously by calling 334-8057, texting CRIMES (274637) or visiting the website.

One can also visit the Save the Civil War Chapel website to make a donation. Liberty Institute, the organization representing Chaplain Wega, offers their services for Advancing Freedom at no charge and relies entirely on generous donations.

When these perpetrators are caught, and I have no doubt they will be, only God will be their judge.

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but [rather] give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance [is] mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Romans 12:19

I first met Erick Brockway on twitter about a year ago. I can’t recall exactly now how we hooked up but that doesn’t matter.

Erick works tirelessly at two jobs and also finds time to write and maintain his own personal blog, a blog for California Conservatives and also be a noted diarist for RedState. He was also in the Navy Seabees.

Erick retired from the Navy Reserves after 20 years last weekend. EO1 (E6). Here is Erick receiving his papers. Yep, he is the one on the right in the shades.

Erick has been a mentor to me in the blogosphere. I would e-mail him asking for advice on certain topics. And he always knew the answer. Whether it was a techy issue, a campaign issue or advice for a diary. I then met him for the first time in Vegas last summer at the Right Online convention and then again in September in Austin at the Red State Gathering.

Here is Erick with his plaque at the retirement service.

And just look at the awards and medals. Erick has given unwavering support to all our men and women in the Armed Forces and has mourned all those deeply, as have all of us, who have given their lives for Freedom in this country.

Erick, I am proud to know you. Enjoy your well-earned retirement and bask in the knowledge you have contributed to the welfare and security of our Nation.

Erick is married to Jan Brockway. He has three children. Jessica, Josh and Cheyenne. All whom are most proud of him. Here is a picture of Erick with Jan and Jessica.

You can find more pictures of Erick on his FaceBook page. He is on twitter @erickbrockway.

Congratulations, Erick!

Crossposted at Conservative Outlooks

Update 12/7/10. I have received the news, as suspected, this fire indeed was caused by arson. Please read the update on my new diary.

Please see my previous post, “Gettysburg wants to kick God out of town, threatens historic Civil War chapel” for background.

This morning the Borough of Gettysburg, the Borough Historical Architectural Review Board (HARB) and many residents critical of this little Civil War chapel got their wish: the chapel along with several other structures adjacent burned to the ground.

Here is a slideshow of the fire as it was happening.

The chapel has been “under fire” literally when the Borough inspection service issued a “cease and desist” letter several days before the chapel was to have it’s final service of the season on November 21: “Remembrance Day” for all those who perished at Gettysburg. Liberty Institute and Wilmer Hale, a DC law firm had been working with the Borough in an attempt to resolve this issue. Until now. But things have changed.

My original story did get the attention of FoxNation, most of the 98 comments were positive but of course we have the usual folks who are against, and our resident nuts. But the real eye-opener came from commenters in one of the Gettysburg local newspapers. It seems the Borough also “came under fire” because many of the residents had seen this diary on Fox and felt they just might need to make a response. I’ve been checking every day, and I’ve seen no response. However, let’s take a look at some of the comments from the article:

Why is nobody talking about the way the boro tried to sidestep the rules in their construction project on the boro building, now people will see how this boro operates, do as I say not as I do. The rules are different for the council and their homes and businesess. How many times has King John written notes about his own house on his morning rounds? Wouldn’t it be cool if the boro had to follow their own rules….

Very nice, positive comment. Here’s another:

After attending a beautiful Sun. morning service

at The Civil War Chapel, It astounds me that the towns people of Gettysburg want to go against the law of the land.I thought churches were tax exempt. What is really going here ??? Does it have anything to do with their NO CASINO stand? The civil war roundtables and Veterans Organizations in Michigan will hear about this. This is Hallowed Ground as well that should remain. Is there a double standard here?

Sincerely,

Michigan reeanactor and American

Another nice, positive comment. Now take a look at this one:

The Liberty Institute is a fringe Religious Right organization being assisted by WilmerHale, a large Washington DC law firm. Gettysburg should hire equally high-end public relations advisors to handle the publicity. This issue is clouded by the ignorant and uneducated local Bible-thumpers [emphasis mine] who don’t know their rear ends from a hole in the ground. They should have their bungholes handed to them

Wow, now Christians are “fringe.” Wonder what this guy would say if a mosque wanted to be erected there. And here’s another equally as disturbing, this one after I placed a comment stating I was the writer of the diary that was receiving the attention:

Carol Greenberg wrote:

FYI, I am LadyImpactOhio who did the original post on RedState that made FoxNation and have the city council’s panties in a knot.

http://nation.foxnews.com/culture/2010/11/22/…

I’m not gonna back down, just like Chaplain Wega and his attorneys.

And you’re proud of that? You’re just another lying witch [emphasis mine] who wants a name. Gettyburg is full of churches and is not trying to kick God out of town. You know, I hope it stays – the way it is now – and a nice big storm comes up and blows the building and it’s saviours to hell – in splinters. And I won’t back down. Good riddance to the lot of you.

Nice. Here is the link to the video about the fire. For whatever reason, it will not play here, but it will play on my personal website, linked at the bottom of this diary. And here is a link to another video where Chaplain Wega gives his comments. Unfortunately, there is no embed code for this one.

I have no doubt in my mind, as the news sources and coverage suggests, this fire was a result of the big “A WORD”: ARSON. Yes, it will need to definitely be proven, but if it was arson they wanted it down badly enough that they didn’t care that other buildings were burned and lives were endangered. Thankfully, no one was hurt. The Red Cross is involved however assisting families who are displaced in apartment buildings next to the chapel which were damaged.

Liberty Institute, a Conservative legal-assistance organization who was assisting in the defense of the chapel provided me with this statement today shortly after the fire. ATF and the FBI has been called in, as well as the National Church Arson Task Force.

“Earlier this morning we were shocked to learn that the Gettysburg Log Chapel and several other buildings were destroyed or severely damaged by fire. The circumstances of the fire are under investigation, but it appears that the fire may have been deliberately set. We contacted the FBI and have been told that ATF and other officials from the National Church Arson Task Force are joining the investigation. Burning down a church is a federal crime [emphasis mine] under the Church Arson Prevention Act of 1996.

The Gettysburg Log Chapel closed for the season in November per an agreement with Borough officials, and was secure and unoccupied at the time of the fire. Our prayers go out for those who have been affected by the fire, and for the First Responders on the scene.”

If this WAS arson, this is an unconscionable act. Apparently our “freedom of religion and 1st amendment rights” are under fire. Literally.

Congratulations, Gettysburg. I never thought the city who is home to one of the nation’s most sacred shrines would stoop this low. However, apparently I was wrong.

I’ll keep everyone updated.

Crossposted at Conservative Outlooks

The following information was obtained via conference call with Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and Director of Bureau of Ocean Energy, Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) Michael Bromwich.

In a stunning reversal of October’s decision allowing deep water offshore exploration in the eastern Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic seaboard, citing safety concerns, “lack of studies” and federal weaknesses in regulation, Secretary Salazar announced he is rescinding that decision.

He will however, still honor Shell’s pending lease in the Beaufort Sea in Alaska but only after studies on safety and environmental issues are satisfied. No new permits will be issued in Alaska until more studies are completed. This is expected to push Shell’s plans back at least a year or more.

This new moratorium, which will remain in effect for at least seven years, comes as a blow not only to oil companies but to those whom they employ and all the ancillary companies involved in oil drilling; such as those who provide food, equipment and transportation to the rigs.

Mr. Salazar stated there are 29 million acres of leased, but not entirely in use, oil fields in the Gulf at this point so “it won’t have that much of an impact.”

Drilling will still be allowed in the western and central Gulf under the safeguards put in place after the BP spill.

“As a result of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill we learned a number of lessons,” the interior secretary said Wednesday afternoon, “most importantly that we need to proceed with caution and focus on creating a more stringent regulatory regime.”

Mr. Salazar stated the US Geological Survey would be called in to conduct seismic studies of the areas under moratorium to ensure the areas are safe geologically.

Congress has opposed drilling for years off the Atlantic seaboard and eastern Gulf even though many legislators in those areas have been pushing for the allowance of drilling, which would create thousands of jobs and reduce our dependence on foreign oil.

Mr. Salazar ended the call by saying Mr. Obama hopes in a bipartisan nature he can work with Congress to come up with an energy package he is satisfied with to reduce our foreign oil dependence and then perhaps the moratorium can be lifted.

Here is a fact sheet just released and maps of the Alaska area and US Continental Shelf area leases.

Crossposted at Conservative Outlooks

Reminiscent of a Dem election fraud scheme in US PA#8, they tried it again. This time in Illinois. I’m sure none of you are surprised, after all this is the home of our “Thief-in-Chief,” “ACORN-Organizer-in-Chief,” Rahm, Blago and all the untold numbers of Dem Dirty Denizens. The video below tells the story:

This is the first year any Illinois resident can cast their ballot by mail, no excuses necessary. But the deadline for getting those ballots returned narrowed significantly and hundreds of thousands of registered voters risked being disenfranchised, one of those being Chicagoan Rosia Carter. By the time her ballot was received in the mail her concern was it would not be counted because of time constraints.

“By the time I filled it out and sent it in, my vote would not get counted,” Carter said.

Take a look at the 1.00 mark on the video. What is the return address for the ballot to be mailed? NOT the Board of Elections, but the Democratic Party of Illinois, P.O. Box A3952, Chicago Illinois, 60690-9910. Surprise!! I suppose we should give these Dem attempted-crooks some credit because they at least didn’t put in a fake letter from a fake organization like the Dems in PA#8, Bucks County did.

Carter cited more outrage when she called the Illinois Democratic Coordinated Campaign (IDCC) and was told the job had been “farmed out” to a third party and also her birthdate on the ballot was incorrect. Also, many of the ballots received by the Lake County Board of Elections from the IDCC should have gone to Will County.

When asked by ABCNews 7 in Chicago why the IDCC had the ballots sent to their own P.O. box instead of the Board of Elections they responded:

because they “are better able to track the process and make sure there are fewer problems.”

Right, Dems. Do I hear another chance for ballot manipulation here? For anyone caring to read the Dems full response it is here, bottom of the page. However I don’t believe a word of it. And as expected, this whole situation created a huge fiasco for not only voters but the county Board of Elections who were deluged at the last minute with hundreds of thousands of ballots. The reporter tells us this “has the potential of becoming Illinois’ version of the ‘hanging chad.’”

And who helped the Dems with their “vote by mail” scheme effort? None other than Dem Illinois Senator Dick Durbin, who “believes” most of the ballots will be counted on time.

And who exactly is the Chair of the Illinois Dems? Illinois Speaker of the House Mike Madigan, who represents Illinois House #22. Madigan ran again this time, and it was speculated in a recent diary by Moe Lane the Illinois GOP had a “phantom” candidate by the name of Patrick John Ryan running against Madigan, however the Illinois Board of Elections confirms on this document, page 23, Ryan indeed was a candidate against him. I don’t know about others, but this diarist holds accountable the ultimate responsibility of incidents, both good and bad, to the chairs, chiefs and thieves-in-chief so in this case it would be Madigan.

Even though Illinois election results will not be certified and available on-line until Dec. 3, the Chicago Tribune tells us Madigan did retain his seat.

And hailing from Illinois I’m sure Madigan has and has had plenty of experience and teachers in deceit and scheming. Although blogs, pundits and news sources tell us Madigan never “got along” with Blago a picture is always worth a thousand words:

And in the midst of all this mess one progressive organization in Illinois has the unmitigated nerve to complain US Illinois Senate candidate Mark Kirk was deploying attorneys to key precincts to be on the look-out for voter fraud. The Illinois GOP was so alarmed about Illinois being “Ground Zero” for voter fraud they issued this statement.

And one more little tidbit to chew on. Guess who shows up at one of the polling places illegally, electioneering on behalf of the Dems? None other than Michelle O.

“First lady Michelle Obama appears to have violated Illinois law — when she engaged in political discussion at a polling place!

The drama began after Mrs. Obama stopped off at the Martin Luther King Center on the south side of Chicago to cast an early vote…

After finishing at the machine, Obama went back to the desk and handed in her voting key.

She let voters including electrician Dennis Campbell, 56, take some photos.

‘She was telling me how important it was to vote to keep her husband’s agenda going,’ Campbell said.

According to a pool reporter from the CHICAGO SUN-TIMES at the scene, the conversation took place INSIDE the voting center, not far from the booths.

Illinois state law — Sec. 17-29 (a) — states: “No judge of election, pollwatcher, or other person shall, at any primary or election, do any electioneering or soliciting of votes or engage in any political discussion within any polling place [or] within 100 feet of any polling place.”

Yes, FLOTUS. Should have gotten written up like Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee did in Houston. A member of Congress and an occupier of the Oval Office should not be above the law.

Sheila Jackson Lee Illegally in Polling Place

Yea, FLOTUS. A Harvard-educated lawyer doesn’t know “electioneering” is illegal. But not to worry, Gibbs the Fibbs defended her:

‘I don’t think it would be much to imagine, the First Lady might support her husband’s agenda,’ Gibbs smiled.

Chicago and Illinois politics at its finest. I’m sure this stuff is just the tip of the iceberg. If this is what we know, can you imagine what we don’t know?

Crossposted at Conservative Outlooks

Crossposted at Procinct.net