My Beauty Best Teacher

As a conservative who fights for liberty and freedom, I have been unhappy with the attacks of our civil liberties that have dramatically escalated in the recent years since President Obama and the liberal Democrats have gained more political power. These left-wing groups pretend to care about civil liberties- but unlike under Bush when the conversations were hypothetical (what if we waterboard more than one person, what if the Patriot Act is abused, etc), under Obama the attacks on civil liberties are real and dangerous. Since yesterday was the anniversary of the Bill of Rights (the first 10 amendments to the US Constitution came into effect on December 15, 1789), via Cato let's get a quick update on how these amendments are being violated.

To see all of the links, check out the full article at Today Is Bill of Rights Day:

The First Amendment says that “Congress shall make no law… abridging the freedom of speech.” Government officials, however, have insisted that they can gag recipients of “national security letters” and censor broadcast ads in the name of campaign finance reform.

The Second Amendment says the people have the right “to keep and bear arms.” Government officials, however, make it difficult to keep a gun in the home and make it a crime for a citizen to carry a gun for self-protection.

The Third Amendment says soldiers may not be quartered in our homes without the consent of the owners. This safeguard is one of the few that is in fine shape — so we can pause here for a laugh.

The Fourth Amendment says the people have the right to be secure against unreasonable searches and seizures. Government officials, however, insist that they can conduct commando-style raids on our homes and treat airline travelers like prison inmates by conducting virtual strip searches.

The Fifth Amendment says that private property shall not be taken “for public use without just compensation.” Government officials, however, insist that they can use eminent domain to take away our property and give it to other private parties who covet it.

The Sixth Amendment says that in criminal prosecutions, the person accused is guaranteed a right to trial by jury. Government officials, however, insist that they can punish people who want to have a trial—“throwing the book” at those who refuse to plead guilty—which explains why 95 percent of the criminal cases never go to trial.

The Seventh Amendment guarantees the right to a jury trial in civil cases where the controversy “shall exceed twenty dollars.” Government officials, however, insist that they can impose draconian fines on people without jury trials.

The Eighth Amendment prohibits cruel and unusual punishments. Government officials, however, insist that a life sentence for a nonviolent drug offense is not cruel.

The Ninth Amendment says that the enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights should not be construed to deny or disparage others “retained by the people.” Government officials, however, insist that they will decide for themselves what rights, if any, will be retained by the people.

The Tenth Amendment says that the powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved to the states, or to the people. Government officials, however, insist that they will decide for themselves what powers they possess, and have extended federal control over health care, crime, education, and other matters the Constitution reserves to the states and the people.

It’s a disturbing snapshot, to be sure, but not one the Framers of the Constitution would have found altogether surprising. They would sometimes refer to written constitutions as mere “parchment barriers,” or what we call “paper tigers.” They nevertheless concluded that having a written constitution was better than having nothing at all.

The key point is this: A free society does not just “happen.” It has to be deliberately created and deliberately maintained. Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty. To remind our fellow citizens of their responsibility in that regard, the Cato Institute has distributed more than five million copies of our pocket Constitution. At this time of year, it’ll make a great stocking stuffer. Let’s enjoy the holidays but let’s also resolve to be more vigilant about defending our Constitution.

BOOK #17: TONIGHT ON THE TITANIC: Jack and Annie are whisked away to the decks of the Titanic, where they must help two children find their way to a lifeboat - and are in danger of becoming victims of that tragic night themselves.

BOOK #18: BUFFALO BEFORE BREAKFAST: Jack and Annie travel to the Old West, where they roam the Great Plains with a Lakota boy.

BOOK #19: TIGERS AT TWILIGHT: While in India, Jack and Annie have adventures involving a tiger and other endangered jungle animals.

BOOK #20: DINGOES AT DINNERTIME: Jack and Annie are whisked Down Under to the land of Australia, where they save several animals from a raging wildfire.

BOOK #21: CIVIL WAR ON SUNDAY: Jack and Annie are transported to the time of the Civil War, where they meet Clara Barton.

BOOK #22: REVOLUTIONARY WAR ON WEDNESDAY: Jack and Annie travel back to the time of the American Revolution and help Gen. George Washington during his famous crossing of the Delaware River.

BOOK #23: TWISTER ON TUESDAY: Jack and Annie travel back to the Kansas prairie and gain an understanding of how hard life was for pioneers when they experience the terror of a tornado.

BOOK #24: EARTHQUAKE IN THE EARLY MORNING: The Magic Tree House takes Jack and Annie to San Francisco in 1906, in time for them to experience one of the biggest earthquakes the United States had ever known.

Click here to buy from Amazon

In the wake of Lt. Governor John Cherry withdrawing from the race for Governor in Michigan, there are many rumors flying around. Cherry was running for the Democratic nomination, and likely would have won it easily, so his withdrawal has led to an explosion of rumors, and for those of you who don't follow the news that closely, let me help you out by covering a couple of the major rumors.

One of the big rumors is that Cherry withdrew due to pressure from the White House. The basis of this is that Obama interfered in the off-year Governor elections and lately his advisers have been visiting Michigan and meeting with people. It was rumored that Obama did not like Cherry and feared that voters would soundly reject Cherry's policies and platforms, which are exactly the same as Obama's, and that might look bad. So Obama through Cherry under the bus. Obama, Cherry, and Governor Granholm (D) all deny this, saying that even though there is a lot of smoke here, there is no fire. Sure.

Cherry's withdrawal means that the Democratic nomination for Governor is now wide open. The best of the bunch is Michigan Speaker of the House Andy Dillon. Even though I campaigned for his (unsuccessful) recall several years ago due to his role in raising taxes on Michigan residents by over 30% in the midst of a brutal recession caused by rising tax rates, I think he got the message, and since that time has been a voice of moderation and sensibility. I still don't trust him completely- when push comes to shove will he really cut the pay and benefits of government employees or will he do the usual Democrat thing and raise taxes on everyone else- but at least he makes noise about balancing the budget and appears to be a moderate. His healthcare plan was a better attempt than what the national Democrats did and last budget cycle he cut spending rather than raise taxes, so there is some good in what he does.

Could Dillon get the nomination? Dillon, who is a 48-year-old attorney and is in his final term in the House, will most likely be opposed by organized labor, the teachers union, government employees, and other traditional Democratic groups because of his support of reforming the healthcare system in Michigan and because he cuts spending instead of raising taxes last budget cycle. As a moderate, he probably won't make it through the liberal primaries of the Democratic party. Robert Kolt, a Democratic-leaning public relations consultant based in Okemos, said "I'd say it's 10-1 against him winning the nomination."

There is a rumor that US Rep. Gary Peters (D) could run or that US Senator Debbie Stabmenow could run, but both of them deny those rumors, and that's too bad. I wish they'd run, and then lose in a landslide. They are very bad Congressmen, passing legislation that damages their constituents and hurts their districts- Peters even voted for the cap-and-tax bill that would destroy manufacturing even though his district's biggest employers are auto companies! They won't run though- they know they got a good scam going working in the US Congress, where you can destroy a nation and yet be re-elected (although I have high hopes that Peters can be taken down by recently-returned military veteran and former state representative Rocky Raczkowski).

The name of Detroit Pistons general manager Joe Dumars has also been advanced as a possible outside-the-box nominee. Dumars would never win the nomination for Governor, mainly because he drafted Darko Milicic with the 2nd pick overall in 2003 draft. Darko ended up being a bust and Dumars passed on other great talents like Carmelo Anthony or Chris Bosh, and because of that pick, Dumars can't be Governor of Michigan.

Detroit businesswoman and University of Michigan regent Denise Ilitch's name has also been thrown out as a possible outside-the-box nominee. The wife of Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch, who also is the owner of Little Caesar's Pizza, she probably couldn't win the election for Governor either in Michigan. Michigan elected the first female Governor in the history of our state with Granholm, and voters will now (unfairly) think twice about electing another female to that high office. That is too bad because there are a lot of great women candidates out there (Teri Lynn Land and Candice Miller come to mind), but I bet that enough voters will be sexist and want a guy for office that a woman couldn't win the position.

Other names in the mix Wednesday included U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak of Menominee and former Genesee County Treasurer Dan Kildee, who said he's considering a run. Kildee heads a national land-use nonprofit organization and is the nephew of U.S. Rep. Dale Kildee, D-Flint.

I've always been real impressed by Bill Davidson, who is the owner of the NBA team the Pistons. Because I'm a sports fan, the initial things that drew my interest were in how he runs his team- he runs his organization the right way. He hires quality people, trusts them, and when they don't perform, he lets them go nicely. The facilities he provides are top notch- the Palace of Auburn Hills is very nice.

It was through learning about the facilities that I began to be more impressed by the man. When the Lions wanted a new stadium in Detroit, they made the citizens of this state foot part of the bill. When the Tigers wanted a new stadium, they made citizens foot the bill. But Bill Davidson proudly turned down tax money, saying it wasn't right to take it. He gives millions for charities. He's a billionaire, who rescued a family company from bankruptcy and turned it successful, all without government help or bail-outs. He's the type of owner who stayed away from union labor, because he saw that the unions were not interested in the long-term health of the company or the employees.

And in an interview today, even though he is nonpartisan, he said that it is pretty clear cut that there is one candidate for President better than the other, and that is why he endorsed John McCain. I respect the man, and respect his choice.

John Cheruiyot writes "...The rise of Asia, the rise of China, Sinagapore, Malaysia, India and other tigers is fundamental. This change is a product of creativity and innovation by the East.
The East believed in themselves. They believed in their ideas and their ideals. They were brave to chart their destiny in a direction contrary to the western logic. They manufactured goods for the poor. They made technology respond to the needs of their poor. They provided electronic, textile, machinery and gadgets within the purchasing power of the poor. They used their cultural wisdom and traditions to mould a world contrary to the western ego. They used their languages, their food and their medicine. They followed their precepts and tenets handed over from their ancestors. Hence they shaped the their world..."

Andrew Rice reviews Martin Meredith's new book 'The Fate of Africa' "...he writes that "what is so striking about the fifty-year period since independence is the extent to which African states have suffered so many of the same misfortunes." Some countries, like Nigeria and Zambia, have gone through cycles of reform and decay. But Meredith's subtitle--From the Hopes of Freedom to the Heart of Despair--sums up the overall trend. It's hard to imagine now, but in the heady days of the 1960s, much of the continent was no less prosperous than South Korea or Malaysia. While those Asian nations have transformed themselves into economic "tigers," however, gross domestic products across Africa shrank during the last two decades of the twentieth century. Africans are getting poorer, not richer. They are living shorter, hungrier lives... The decline of an entire continent confounds our preconceptions about human advancement... How can one continent be so out of step with humankind's march of progress? Everyone agrees that Africans are desperately poor and typically endure governments that are, to varying degrees, corrupt and capricious. The dispute is about causes and consequences. One group--call it the poverty-first camp--believes African governments are so lousy precisely because their countries are so poor. The other group--the governance-first camp--holds that Africans are impoverished because their rulers keep them that way. The argument may seem pedantic, but there are billions of dollars at stake, and millions of lives. The fundamental question is whether those who are well-off can salve a continent's suffering, or if, for all our good intentions, Africans are really on their own..."

Matthew Lockwood writes on the need for non-standard remedies in Africa, he states "...What Africa needs is to shake off its dependence on primary commodity exports, a problem underlying not only its marginalisation from world trade but also its chronic debt problems. Many countries rely today on as narrow a range of agricultural and mineral products as they did 30 years ago, and suffer the consequences of inex orably declining export earnings. Again, the campaigners' remedy - to improve market access for African exports to Europe and America - is wide of the mark. While imperfect, various preferential schemes already give the poorest African countries excellent market access.To understand how Africa might diversify we must look elsewhere, to the experience of east and south-east Asia. Not only have these countries revolutionised their trade performance in the last four decades to become world leaders in everything from clothing to computers, they have also achieved the holy grail of broad-based growth. The "Asian miracle" has seen countries poorer than their African counterparts in the 1960s virtually eradicate $1-a-day poverty today. If you really want to know how to make poverty history, it is this transformation that you must grasp..."