Baker Compared to Chamberlain in Video

This video produced by David Zucker would be funny if it were not so right on target.

Harry Reid and Jack Abramoff

Just as Nevada Senator Harry Reid takes over as U.S. Senate Majority Leader, his connections to the Jack Abramoff scandal begin to see the light of day.

Nevada Republican Central Committee Meeting

Senator Bob Beers conveys a message from Governor-Elect Jim Gibbons in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Nevada Republican Central Committee Meeting held on Veterans Day November 11, 2006.

Your Choice Today!

Hat Tip: Cox and Forkum

Vote Today!

Election Day is already here! I have not posted lately because I have been up to my eyeballs in work lately. I have been keeping up on the polls and the build up to the election however. Those of you who know me realize that I am an information junkie.

This election could go either way. Many races that were written off as going to the Democrats a few weeks ago are now too close to call. The Republicans have gained momentum, but is it enough?

I predict that the Republicans hold on to both houses of Congress with a slim margin in each. I think there will be a 3 seat Republican majority in the House and a one seat Republican majority in the Senate. I think it would be funny and ironic if the Senate ended up being dead even with Lieberman getting elected over Lamont. Lieberman can then stare down all the Democrats that stabbed Lieberman in the back during his primary race and make them wonder if he will start supporting many more Republican initiatives.

If Democrats Win...The Taxman Cometh!

Hat Tip: Brain-Terminal.com

Another hilarious video that is considered too "over the top" for the Republican Party to air. Heck, these days, who needs television?

Why Don't Democrats Demand Harry Reid's Resignation?

Here is a story from The Oklahoman newspaper that puts great perspective on the most recent (of many) Harry Reid scandals. Why is it that Democrats when found to be involved in a scandal don't resign as Republicans involved in scandal do? Why don't we hear demands from the media that Harry Reid resign immediately?

I think it is because most Democrat polititians and their supporters in the Main Stream Media are in a constant state of denial anyway.

Harry Reid Land Scandal Exposes Media Bias

Mark Levin documents the double standard exhibited by the main stream media when they constantly cover the Foley scandal but barely mention the current Harry Reid Pine Plaza Land scandal.

Levin also documents some of the other numerous shady deals maneuvered by Senator Harry Reid and his sons.

How could such an unctuous man become a U.S. Senator and Minority Leader? Unfortunately in this era, it is not surprising.

Click here for Mark Levin article.

Harry Reid's Culture of Corruption

Interesting that one day after the video was put up on YouTube.com it was taken down.

Click here for another location to watch the video.

Clinton Administration's Dealings with North Korea

It would be funny if it wasn't true.

Thank you Clinton Administration for Arming North Korea

Hat Tip: Gates of Vienna

Of course the knee jerk leftists are blaming Bush for North Korea's new nuclear capability but those of us with a memory remember the treaty brokered by Jimmy Carter and signed by Bill Clinton's Secretary of State, Madaline Albright.

A picture does say a thousand words.

Didn't the Clinton Administration Sign a Treaty with North Korea?

Hat Tip: Cox and Forkum

As was proven time and time again, a treaty with a communist government is worthless.

The Nevada “Power Rangers”: Billy Vassiliadis

Cross posted at www.nevadaobserver.com

Since it has not been long since the first debate between Jim Gibbons and Dina Titus, I thought it only fitting to mention one of Dina’s protégés. Billy Vassiliadis is one of the small group of four king makers and ear whisperers known as the “Power Rangers.” Billy V. as he is know in the legislative halls of Carson City controls the largest advertising agency in Nevada called R&R Partners, Inc. since he bought it from fellow “Power Ranger” Sig Rogich in 1992. His advertising company did not have much trouble becoming the largest and most powerful advertising agency in Nevada since R&R Partners, Inc. has an uncontested contract with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA). According to the Las Vegas Sun, “R&R Partners Inc. was given a $67.4 million budget from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority for the fiscal year that ended June 30 [2005].” Billy V. is adept at wielding influence and stellar at raising money for the Power Ranger war chest.
Some people again may be reading this and saying “so what?” The reason all citizens with a desire for fair and transparent government should always be concerned with the centralization of power. In Nevada, power is centralized much more than most people realize. Four is a very small number of people to control this state.
Billy Vassiliadis’ rise occurred when Rogich became more directly involved in Republican politics and Billy V. was quickly promoted within R&R Partners, Inc. to become its president in the late 80’s. Billy V. is behind the LVCVA phrase, “Whatever Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas.” There was a flurry of controversy when it was realized that Billy’s advertising slogan was remarkably close to the motto used by Alcoholics Anonymous, “Whatever Happens Here, Stays Here.”
At UNLV, Dina Titus was one of Billy V.’s instructors and speaks fondly of Billy V. Titus, now a gubernatorial candidate, said of Vassiliadis, “He was brash and bold. He was energetic and wanted to get involved. I'm not surprised where he is today.” Billy must have learned his “go along to get along” approach to the increasing size of government from the liberal Titus. The thing is that when Billy V. goes along he is adept at making the State Legislature get along. Billy has spent his life left of center on the political spectrum but does not hesitate to cross party lines when the “Power Ranger” plan can be supported by a Republican. Such was the case when Billy V. became instrumental in getting Kenny Guinn elected as governor. Another thing we see about all the “Power Rangers” is that regardless of which side of the political spectrum they claim to be, the overriding use of their powers is to increase taxes, spending and the growth of state government power and influence over everyone’s daily life.
During Nevada legislative sessions the four “Power Rangers” can be seen conversing multiple times a day as they “huddle up” as if before an NFL football play then disperse to various legislators to influence the vote for the overall “Power Ranger” plan. Did you vote for any of these lobbyists? I know I didn’t. One saving grace for the state of Nevada is that our legislative sessions only convene for four months every other year. If we had a full time legislative law factory like Dina Titus wishes for much more damage would have already been done to the individual rights of life, liberty and property.
Dina Titus speaks constantly on the campaign trail about how Nevada is “on the bottom of all the good lists and on the top of all the bad lists.” Doesn’t she realize that we are the fastest growing state in the Union right now precisely because we are not yet burdened with the cradle to grave social entitlements that most states have had for decades. If the Titus plan wants to curtail growth in Nevada, instituting higher taxes and bigger government would accomplish that in a hurry. Turning Nevada into California will stem the tide of people coming into this state by making it less attractive to productive people as a place to live. Since it seems that the goals of Dina Titus are more closely aligned with the philosophy of the “Power Rangers” than the apparent goals of Jim Gibbons, don’t be surprised if Titus pulls out a surprise victory as governor.

George W. Bush in Reno...Again

George W. Bush arrived here in Reno, Nevada today to support Dean Heller for Nevada Congressional District 2.

In the last few years President Bush has been in Reno three times. It felt like a "Forest Gump moment" today as I told my wife on the phone that I saw the President...again.

I am glad that Bush and his administration places emphasis on Northern Nevada during this election season especially since we cannot afford to have the Democrats take back control of Congress. Jill Derby running as the "un-Democrat" is coming too close to electability in this very Republican district. Don't be fooled by Derby's attempt to seem like the down home rancher who wants to help the common person. Derby is on tape saying that there should not be any illegal immigrants that "they should all be part of our system". Sounds like a policy of open borders and amnesty to me! Click here to listen for yourself.

Derby is playing the typical Democrat scare tactic about Social Security and how privatizing Social Security is dangerous. I will tell you this; Social Security is a train running downhill fast and out of control toward a gaping chasm with the bridge out. Politicians, including Jill Derby better pull their heads out of the sand and change the direction of Social Security soon. Derby and Democrats act like everything is hunky dory and it is most certainly not!

I think Bush's visit in support of Dean Heller gives the Heller campaign a shot in the arm both in all important campaign dollars and to the campaign's emotional vigor.

Public Funds Used for Political Campaign by RTC

Wasn't Kathy Augustine Impeached for This?

The Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) is waging a political ad campaign against Ballot Question 2 (the Property Rights Initiative) called, "There Is More To Know" using taxpayers' money.

Local concerned citizen, Robert Murawski, has investigated the RTC political campaign which is thinly veiled as an education program. Murawski contacted or attempted to contact all the members of the RTC Board for an explanation, but has received few responses. Jim McGrath the RTC Public Information Officer, told Murawski that the adds are not biased, since the ads refrain from advising a yes-or-no vote.

According to Mr. Murawski, the ads on radio and television "use dramatic character situations" to point out potential negatives of Ballot Question 2, but none of the positives, such as the protection of private property from seizure by the government using imminent domain.

Whether the RTC Board is for or against Ballot Question 2 is not the issue. The fact that the RTC Board is using taxpayers' money to promote their negative view of the ballot question is a misguided use of those funds and the labor of the RTC marketing department.

Kathy Augustine was impeached for some of her staff making phone calls and sending faxes during work hours to further her campaign. Why is it acceptable for a public commission to spend public monies to the tune of $50,000 to $60,000 in a lop-sided advertising campaign while feigning impartiality?
There IS More to Know About the RTC Campaign
Complete coverage of the RTC "There Is More To Know" campaign can be found on Robert Murawski's website.

To see Robert's website, CLICK HERE.

To view the RTC Board meeting minutes which pertain to this story CLICK HERE and HERE.

To view the RTC webpage CLICK HERE. The political campaign waged by the RTC has been designed in a very "lawyerly" way to technically skirt the definition of bias. The fact that the campaign only points out the negatives in passing Ballot Question 2 shows that the RTC is promoting a biased viewpoint and not an educational service as they try to project. The tone of foreboding concern employed by the RTC advertisements leaves any objective observer with no doubt that the ads are against the passage and implementation of the Property Rights Initiative (Ballot Question 2).

Moderate Muslim Response

Hat Tip: Atlas Shrugs

Senator Reid, Take off the Blinders!

A picture says a thousand words and the cartoonists at Cox and Forkum nail it with this one.

The Nevada “Power Rangers”: Sig Rogich

As we continue to look at the four most powerful people in Nevada, let’s reflect back to the article I wrote two weeks ago in this space. I mentioned that I was surprised that the Sparks City Council voted against the Harvey Whittemore Lazy 8 Casino project. About a week after the public vote by the Sparks City Council, a “behind closed doors” meeting was held by the council to secretly vote for approval of Whittemore’s project. This being an election year, I am not surprised by the shady method of voting by the council or the end result. The kind of pull that Harvey Whittemore brings to the table in Nevada is enough to cause a city council to break the Open Meeting Law without a second thought. No city council wants the public to see them cowering to the power of Harvey. Whittemore threatened the City of Sparks with a $100 million dollar lawsuit if he didn’t get his way. It worked for him. Now the State Attorney General is suing the Sparks City Council for violating Nevada’s open meeting law.
I spoke before of the extremely small club occupied by the four most influential lobbyists in the State of Nevada that have unofficially been dubbed the “Power Rangers” after the kung fu characters on a children’s television program. The second Power Ranger we will focus on is a man named Sig Rogich. Sig’s claim to fame is that he had the idea for the political TV commercial during the Bush versus Dukakis presidential race in 1988 that showed Dukakis looking completely absurd riding around in the hatch of an Army tank wearing a funny looking helmet. Sig chose to live in Nevada and his political influence has grown over Nevada politicians ever since. Some may not see the problem in what lobbyists like Sig Rogich do but as the state government encroaches more and more upon the lives of individuals, such a concentration of decision making, available to the highest bidder, becomes a concern.
In the “old days” state and the federal governments were effectively limited by the U.S. and state constitutions so that government could not easily or directly impact most individuals, businesses or industries. Over time, the Nevada State Government, (like all governments through history) has increased its influence, taxation and regulation at all levels, beyond the limitations framed by constitutional writers. Now a one may be put out of business because of a law passed by the legislature and signed by the governor. It reminds me of the famous and comical Ronald Reagan quote, “The government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.” If one were to look at the Nevada Revised Statutes in 1906, he would see a document with the appearance of a very thin single volume binder. Now the Nevada Revised Statutes, if stacked, rise beyond an eight foot ceiling, past the roof and even past the chimney of your single story house.
Men like Sig Rogich peddle influence to the highest bidder. Sig claims to be a Republican which would traditionally mean someone who is against tax increases. In our present world it means that Sig Rogich can successfully lobby for the largest tax increase in Nevada history and still claim to be a conservative. When questioned about his pro-tax stance when he came out against anti-tax Republican State Senator Ann O’Connell, Rogich was quoted by the Las Vegas Review-Journal as saying, “I don’t think that’s anti-Republican in any way. I don’t think Republicans should shy away from necessary tax increases.” Since the $800 million dollar tax increase was followed by an $833 million dollar surplus, I doubt that a reasonable person would find Sig’s tax increase to be “necessary.” For good or ill, I think every Nevadan should know more about the “Power Rangers” whispering in the ears of their elected leaders.

Sparks City Council Prime Example of Politics of Pull in Nevada

It was disgraceful that the Sparks City Council chose to deal with Harvey Whittemore in a back room genuflection to Harvey's wishes.

In my previous post I stated that I was surprised that the Sparks City Council appeared to stand up to Whittemore's political bullying. As we now see, the Politics of Pull in Nevada are alive and kicking with Harvey Whittemore as the current lead mule.

Now the Nevada Attorney General is suing the Sparks City Council for sneaking a vote away from the public eye so that in an election year, the people won't know who vote for the concession to Harvey Whittemore. The public meeting laws are there for a reason and I think it is completely appropriate that the Sparks City Council is being sued.

Harvey Whittemore and the Politics of Pull in Nevada

Most people in Nevada, when asked to name the four most powerful people in the state would most likely mention people who hold elected offices such as the governor, senators or even law enforcement leaders like the Sheriff of the Clark County Metro Police. Few people realize that the most powerful people in the State of Nevada happen to be a few extremely influential lobbyists. In the year of the Jack Abramoff scandal, the word lobbyist has been bandied about repeatedly in the media, but what is a lobbyist? According to Webster’s Dictionary, to lobby is, “1.to conduct activities aimed at influencing public officials and especially members of a legislative body on legislation or 2. to influence or sway (as a public official) toward a desired action.” Another way to describe a lobbyist is to say they are influence peddlers; selling their influence to the highest bidder. The four most powerful lobbyists (and I venture to say the four most powerful people) in Nevada, are Sig Rogich, Harvey Whittemore, Peter Ernaut, and Billy Vassiliadis. Collectively, these four men have come to be known inside Nevada political circles as the “Power Rangers” after the quirkily costumed children’s martial arts characters. Usually the Power Rangers are adept at “staying below the radar” although if one is to look a little bit, their names pop up in almost every aspect of Nevada government. Most people know what is meant by a “good ‘ol boys club.” The Power Rangers are the lead Mouseketeers.
Today, we will take a look at Harvey Whittemore, since in the last few weeks; Harvey has appeared in two controversial schemes. The latest is his attempt to build the Lazy 8 Casino in the middle of a Sparks neighborhood (which the Sparks City Council denied last week). The other episode involving Whittemore, is the Coyote Springs Development north of Las Vegas. With as much influence and money that Whittemore brings to the table it is somewhat surprising that his bid to build the casino in Sparks was denied. Almost immediately after the Sparks City Council voted its disapproval Harvey and his attorney vowed legal action to the tune of “hundreds of millions of dollars” against the City of Sparks for failing to honor a contractual agreement. It isn’t over yet so it remains to be seen whether Harvey finally gets his way or gets a whole bunch of money. Either way, Harvey is demonstrating that he is a master at the politics of pull.
The other scheme that Whittemore has been working on for the past few years is the Coyote Springs Development which is an hour northeast of Las Vegas. Harvey’s close relationship with Senator Harry Reid has helped tremendously in Whittemore’s ability to sidestep and change policies and regulations standing in the way of his gigantic project. The politics of pull allow a person with the right connections and the right amount of money to do things others cannot do. Whittemore admits this himself when he said, “In a small state, personal relationships are particularly important: "This is not New York. This is Nevada.” I am glad that this is Nevada and not New York. In Nevada, everyone is supposed to be equal, unfortunately some like Harvey Whittemore, are more equal than others.
With Harry Reid’s help, Whittemore has removed formidable obstacles to the Coyote Springs project. Reid had about 13,000 acres of land designated as a sanctuary for the desert tortoise moved out of the center of the Coyote Springs land to the north and eastern edges of the land freeing up development. That is no easy feat when dealing with the Federal Endangered Species Act. Changing the land designation is something that could only be done by the Senate Minority Leader or higher. It is amazing how Democrats are champions of the environment unless it suits their purposes to be otherwise. According to the Los Angeles Times, as the hurdles were removed, “Reid received tens of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from Whittemore.” Yet, Harry Reid’s office said that Harvey Whittemore was treated, “no differently than any other developer.” We will take a look at the other Power Rangers and their dealings in future columns.

UPDATE: Harvey Whittemore and his lawyers threatened a $100 million plus dollar lawsuit and so got their way despite the public vote of the Sparks City Council. The project is going through.

Walter Williams Speaks

Dr. Walter E. Williams writes a great article comparing the mentalities of today's generation versus the World War 2 generation with regards to appeasement and waging war.

Click here to read article.

Jimmy Carter not in Position to Criticize Bush

This is in response to the Reno Gazette Journal article on Jimmy Carter

It is strange to observe the arrogance of a man like Carter who's appeasement policy in dealing with Iran has directly lead to the Hezbollah inspired crisis we see today. Realize that the Camp David accords have prevented hostilities between Israel and Egypt only because the United States committed to pay Israel and Egypt each $2 Billion dollars per year. That is $4 Billion a year that the United States pays out each year because of the Camp David accords. Egypt will not openly initiate hostilities with Israel because $2 Billion dollars per year is a sizeable portion of their entire economy and primarily enriches the ruler of Egypt, Hosni Mubarak.

One cannot "buy off" Islamic Totalitarians like one can with a corrupt nation state. Hezbollah and other jihadists are motivated by ideology and are willing to blow themselves up to accomplish their goal of worldwide Islamic domination. Cessation of hostilities will only benefit Hezbollah because Hezbollah will declare victory after surviving their attack on Israel. Iran will gain a victory along with its proxy Hezbollah and continue building a nuclear weapons capability unhindered.

I have said for years that the military Center of Gravity for the worldwide Islamic Totalitarian movement is Iran. Just as it was necessary to defeat Germany to defeat Nazism it will be necessary to defeat Iran before we will win the war between Western Civilization and Islamic Totalitarianism.

Jimmy Carter was a weak fool in the 1970's and he is still a weak fool now. I am not the biggest fan of the Bush Administrations foreign policy, but Jimmy Carter is in no position to criticize and should be given no credence. We in Nevada should vote to keep Carter's son out of the U.S. Senate.

Disney withdraws from Assembly Race

Now that I am no longer a candidate, I will be posting more regularly.

Democracy versus Despotism

A great old film that would be great in classrooms today!

Disney Speaks on Border Security

During the Chris Simcox Minuteman event, Richard Disney spoke on U.S. border security and illegal immigration.

Minuteman Chris Simcox Speaks in Reno, Nevada

Chris Simcox, the founder and president of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corp, speaks in Reno, Nevada. Chris advocates border security and encourages people to support people like Sharron Angle and Richard Disney.

Richard Disney Speaks on Individual Rights

Speaking at the SGT Patrick Stewart Memorial in Fernley, Nevada on May 29th, 2006.

Rumsfeld versus The Generals

I have had my opinion of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld shaken somewhat in the last week or so as Major General John R.S. Batiste retired and then came out publicly that Rumsfeld should be replaced as SECDEF. The reason my opinion has changed is because I served under Batiste's command during the planning phase and then the execution of Operation Joint Endeavor in Bosnia. I have the utmost respect for MG Batiste.

The first time I saw then Colonel Batiste was in Germany during a deployment in Grafenwoehr, Germany where he was in command of the 2nd Brigade(Iron Brigade)of the 1st Armored Division. The Iron Brigade was normally stationed in Baumholder, Germany but we were in the field of "Graf" to plan and train for our coming deployment to Bosnia. I was part of the planning cell with MG Batiste and spent many hours and days in close proximity to Batiste who would usually curl up on a cot put right into the Tactical Operations Center (TOC) to get a few minutes of shut eye at a time. In the first few days of the Graf operation we in the TOC heard a big crashing sound outside and ran out into the dark to find that Batiste's non-armored HMMWV (humvee) had been hit by an M113 armored personel carrier. Now the M113 has a weight of about 25,000 pounds so it vastly outweighed Batiste's command vehicle. I remember seeing Batiste standing up on top of the vehicles, calmly asking if everyone was ok (which they were) and saying that it was alright and just to clean it up. This was remarkable compared to some of the tirades I have seen from other senior officers.

Once in Bosnia as Batiste led a convoy into his base, a group of several hundred militant and some armed Serbs were blocking Batiste's entrance to the American base. Batiste calmly exited his now up-armored HMMWV and without drawing his weapon walked in front of the convoy and "parted the sea" of the angry mob to enter the base. This was during an unpublished period of extremely high tensions between U.S. Forces and the Bosnian Serbs when any spark could have set the whole region ablaze again.

I mention the previous observations to underline how much respect I have for John R.S. Batiste. When MG Batiste says that SECDEF Rumsfeld should go I had to rethink the image of the fiesty leader of the Defense Department that I had come to really like.

Another former U.S. Army officer for whom I have tremendous respect is Ralph Peters. After reading Peter's article in the New York Post my opinion of Rumsfeld was shaken further. Ralph Peters is a retired lieutenant colonel who served as a military intelligence officer. Peters is absolutely correct when he says that Batiste has a reputation of the utmost integrity. Batiste's command style was tough but fair and always calm and confident. I enjoyed serving with him and hope if he does remember me, that he thought I did a good job for him and his brigade.

I am thinking that now that there probably should be a change of Secretary of Defense.

Richard Disney served as a captain in the U.S. Army.

Update: I was remiss in not including Major General John R.S. Batiste's original article in the Washington Post. Click here to see the article.

Here is the video interview of MG Batiste on the Today Show. Click here for video.

Illegal Immigration is a Security Issue

Rosa Villanueva-White Illegal Immigration Interview

Fire it Up!

Shooting a fully automatic Uzi sub-machine pistol in the Nevada desert. Yes, I fully support 2nd Amendment rights.

Airborne!

Thanks to The Officer's Club for this photo.

Marc Deal Talks About Challenges at Halima

Marc Deal explains several challenges presented by the Nevada State Board of Education in running Halima Academy Charter School.

UPDATE: by Chuck Muth

HALIMA LIVES TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY


Sometimes David DOES beat Goliath.

Late this afternoon, Washoe County Judge Jerry Polaha ruled that his "stay" keeping the doors open at the Halima Academy charter school in Reno was to remain in place until the end of the school year.a HUGE victory for the kids and parents who testified on Halima's behalf during this three-day hearing.

But the war is far from over.

The Board of Education still wants to close the school down and keep it from re-opening next fall. Although a big win today, the legal battle continues. More tomorrow...

Siadah Pires Explains Why She Started Halima Academy

The administration, faculty and students of the Halima Academy Charter School, really need your help and support.

Halima Academy Charter School in Court Round 2

Today from about 9:30 am until 5:00 pm the directors of Halima Academy Charter School fought for survival in the second round of the court hearing. In the first two video clips below, Siadah Pires, the executive director of Halima Academy explains what was expected and what actually has happened in the last few days in court.

State Trying to Close Halima Academy

I the Reno Court House today the Nevada Board of Education did its best to close down the Halima Academy Charter School. Mr. Marc Deal is a director of Halima and testified that the school should remain open. Mr. Deal was grilled by Deputy Attorney General James E. Irvin who represented the Nevada State Board of Education.

In the featured video clip, Mr. Deal shows his reaction to what seems to be the State's effort to nitpick Halima Academy into closing its doors despite the impact that will have on the students. UPDATE: Click here for more detailed information.

Joe Enge head of EdWatch Nevada has more here.

Next round at the court house is 9:30 am Friday March 31, 2006.

Disney Endorsed by NICPAC

The Nevada Idependent Conservative Political Action Committee has endorsed conservative candidate Richard Disney for Nevada State Assembly District 26. See video of Disney thanking NICPAC for the endorsement and help in his campaign.

NOTE: VIDEO is dark because of poor lighting at the venue but audio is clear.

18 Ways to be a Good Liberal

Thanks to Pamela aka Atlas for this post that gave me a grin.

18 WAYS TO BE A GOOD LIBERAL

1. You have to be against capital punishment, but support abortion on demand

2. You have to believe that businesses create oppression and governments create prosperity.

3. You have to believe that guns in the hands of law-abiding citizens are more of a threat than U.S. nuclear weapons technology in the hands of Chinese and North Korean communists.

4. You have to believe that there was no art before federal funding.

5. You have to believe that global temperatures are less affected by cyclical changes in the earth's climate and more affected by soccer moms driving SUV's.

6. You have to believe that gender roles are artificial, but being homosexual is natural.

7. You have to believe that the AIDS virus is spread by a lack of federal funding.

8. You have to believe that the same teacher who can't teach 4th- graders how to read is somehow qualified to teach those same kids about sex.

9. You have to believe that hunters don't care about nature, but PETA activists do.

10. You have to believe that self-esteem is more important than actually doing something to earn it.

11. You have to believe that Mel Gibson spent $25 million of his own money to make "The Passion of the Christ" for financial gain only.

12. You have to believe the NRA is bad because it supports certain parts of the Constitution, while the ACLU is good because it supports certain parts of the Constitution.

13. You have to believe that taxes are too low, but ATM fees are too high.

14. You have to believe that Margaret Sanger and Gloria Steinem are more important to American history than Thomas Jefferson, Gen. Robert E. Lee, and Thomas Edison.

15. You have to believe that standardized tests are racist, but racial quotas and set-asides are not.

16. You have to believe that the only reason socialism hasn't worked anywhere it's been tried is because the right people haven't been in charge.

17. You have to believe that homosexual parades displaying drag queens and transvestites should be constitutionally protected, and manger scenes at Christmas should be illegal.

18. You have to believe that this message is a part of a vast, right- wing conspiracy.

http://www.typepad.com/t/trackback/4541216

We Need Immigration Reform

When I looked at Drudge this morning and saw the linked article on MSNBC/Newsweek referring to Colorado Congressman Tom Tancredo, I read an interesting quote from the article, [bold entered by me]

"As the House and Senate debate the nation's immigration and border-security laws, the four-term Coloradan has positioned himself as the loudest, angriest voice against the estimated 11 million illegal aliens now living in the United States."

Wow, MSNBC/Newsweek referring to "illegal aliens". The outrage of the American people about our unsecure borders must actually be getting to the Main Stream Media!

Seeing the pictures of the estimated hundreds of thousands of people protesting the passage of HR4437 has prompted me to write a letter in support of HR4437 to our congressman Jim Gibbons. The throngs of people protesting the immigration reform bill is proof to me that the bill should be passed into law.

I have some perspective on this issue. My wife Patricia immigrated legally from Peru to the United States, speaks perfect English and has been a U.S. citizen since 1995. I think that legal immigration helps the United States, but illegal aliens put strains on our economy that far outweigh the benefits to a few employers of cheap labor. Imagine just showing up in Mexico with your entire family and demanding free medical care with English speaking medical staff and free education for all of your children in English. The Mexican government would laugh at you.

Our porous borders also offer an entrance to terrorists which threatens our national security. With an estimated 11 MILLION illegals in the United States today, immigration reform is overdue. I think we should beware of amnesty programs because everytime an amnesty program is even proposed, the number of people illegally crossing our border increases dramatically. I also think that a "guest worker" program IS an amnesty program.

Richard Disney served as a captain in the U.S. Army and is now running for Nevada Assembly District 26.

My Daughter Lauren

We are trying to teach our daughter Lauren as many languages as possible while she is very young. Here my wife Patricia is teaching Lauren some Spanish and it is pretty funny.

WARNING! Lauren is a cute child. This is very different from my usual military posts.

I am having a great time with my daughter and she is teaching me a lot about life.

Secure the Present...Ensure the Future

I can't believe that Liberals say we can't win the Global War on Terror (GWOT). People don't build statues for skeptics.

Check out this video demonstration of new fielded technology and technology that exists and will be fielded in the near future.

Soldiers + Technology = Victory

Victory Rally in Reno

We had a great time and made a statement at the Federal Building in downtown Reno on Sunday March 19th. To see more photos from the event go to the great blog Liberty Just in Case.

I will say that although there were some passionate discussions, all sides were civil and peaceful. It was an enjoyable event all around.

Short VIDEO now up.

Pacifist Demonstration is Against Victory

There is a big demonstration planned in Reno for this coming weekend. I have no problem with people expressing their point of view in a peaceful manner but I and anyone else has the right to criticize a position when that position is dangerous to our country and everyone who lives in it. I think that the only reason good people sleep safely in their beds is because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf. The pacifist position is dangerous when there are forces in this world sworn to kill as many Americans as possible.

I participated in a debate with people that are members of one of the key groups in sponsoring this weekend's demonstration. If the demonstration were being conducted by Reno locals it would be much better than the large group of out-of-towners which have been reported to be "pumping up the numbers" to give the impression that Reno residents are against victory in the Global War on Terror.

I agree with Ralph Peters when he said in his New York Post article that the way to lose a war is to simply give up. think that the easiest way to lose a war is to give up and surrender. Surrender is what pacifists advocate. I am convinced that if we pull our troops out of the Middle East that terrorists will follow our troops home through our too porous borders and start blowing themselves up on our streets taking many American civilians including women and children with them.

I will be out there this weekend engaging these pacifists in peaceful discussion. I have found that most of the time when pacifists have their argument defeated through reasonable discussion, they become far less passive. I encourage everyone who values what Reno really stands for to show up downtown to peacefully show these out of town demonstrators how Reno stands behind our troops.

Go Wolf Pack! Beat Montana!

Game scheduled to start today at 12:00 noon according to the Wolf Pack website.

Rice: Iran "terror's central bank"

I participated in a taped debate on Channel 16 Sierra Nevada Community Access Television (SNCAT) last Thursday, March 9th. My opponents in the debate were members of the Reno Anti-War Coalition here in Reno, NV.

The program is titled "RAWC: Iraq, Three Years Later" and will air on the following schedule on Channel 16:

Monday, Mar 20th at 1pm PST
Wednesday, Mar 22nd at 6pm PST
Thursday, Mar 23rd at 8pm PST
Friday, Mar 24th at 5pm PST

I brought up the fact that Iran is and has been the biggest state sponsor of terrorism since the 1970's when the Ayatolla took over after the fall of the Shah.

I was interested to see U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice make a similar statement in Australia today.

I am supposed to find out when my debate will be aired tomorrow. We were going to announce the debate with an air time on a press release as soon as we obtained the information but I just couldn't wait to post the "echo" at the international level.

1st Armored Division Patrols in Iraq

Soldiers from my old unit the 1st Armored Division "Old Ironsides" on patrol in Iraq. An interesting side note about the name of the "Old Ironsides" Division is that it is the only Army Division names after a Navy ship...the USS Constitution which originally had the nickname Old Ironsides.

Handing Out School Supplies

This photo of a U.S. Army Sergeant is posted on the U.S. Navy website.

Baghdad, Iraq (March 5, 2006) - U.S. Army Sgt. Kendrick Gibson, assigned to “Hammerhead” Headquarters Battery 4-320th Field Artillery Regiment, 506th Regimental Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (AASLT), hands out school supplies, donated by children from Medora Elementary School in Jefferson County, Ky., to a class of Iraqi school children.

A Tale of Two Educators

There is something which occurred in a time not so long ago in a school district far away from Nevada upon which I would like to comment. I think the case of a school principal passing explicit pornography to school staffers using a school computer and school network all paid for by taxpayers has relevance to events occurring recently in the Carson City School District.

It has come to my attention from the Blogging Man 2007 blog that a school principal in Georgia passed explicit photos on taxpayer funded computers and networks to other school staffers. Not only do I think the principal's actions wrong but I want to bring to everyone's attention to what the teachers union did about it. The teachers union is continuing to defend the school principal's actions saying that the principal has freedom of speech and should not be fired or censured. To me this is not even an issue of free speech; it is an issue of ethical lapse and bad judgment on the part of Georgia Principal Ed Rohrbaugh.

Let's contrast this with the case that just culminated in Carson City about a week ago. In Carson City a high school history teacher named Joe Enge spoke out that the Carson City High School for some period of time was not teaching American History earlier than the Civil War period. The teachers union in Joe Enge's case hung him out to dry and did nothing to slow or stop Mr. Enge's separation from the school district based on petty complaints that the Fulbright winning teacher was unsatisfactory.

Now what did the Carson City School Board do in relation to Joe Enge's case? The school board defended the methods of the sitting Superintendent and the sitting Principal who had permitted a curriculum during their watch that omitted the formation of our country, the founding fathers and the U.S. Constitution. Joe Enge would have been separated quietly if the light of truth was not shown on the whole episode that in fact what Mr. Enge said was correct.

My point in comparing these two cases, one local and one on the other side of the country is that any institution that is unaccountable is irresponsible. Something must change about our educational establishment for the better. The educational administrations nationwide have become entrenched and seem only to want education to be measured subjectively.

My point in juxtaposing these two seemingly unrelated cases is to demonstrate how the teachers union and educational establishment will defend and aid an educator who is passing porn on school computers but will abandon an educator who merely communicates a deficiency in a school curriculum.

Gunner, Sabot, Tank!

That is the call of a tank commander of an M1 Abrams American tank to the gunner of the tank to load a sabot round and for the gunner to engage an enemy tank. I came across this picture of the sabot round at the point it is discarding the sabot to expose the metal fin-stableized "spear" which penetrates any known tank armor. An amazing picture and it is even more amazing that the "spear" penetrates and destroys an enemy tank without an explosive warhead. The ultra high velocity punches through a tank hull and causes tremendous overpressure destroying the enemy tank.

I served with the tankers of Task Force 2-68 Armor "Silver Lions" lead by Lieutenant Colonel Oscar R. Anderson. I learned a lot from those tankers and remember fondly my service with them.

Richard Disney served as a captain in the U.S. Army and is now running for Nevada Assembly District 26.

Stop the "Law Factory"

I still firmly believe that what Will Rogers said before is just as true today, that, "The only time a man's life, liberty or property are safe is when Congress is NOT in session."

I am willing to actually do something about it. When I get to the Nevada State Assembly, I will enter REPEALS for two bad laws for every new bill I bring to the floor.

I urge all who read this to give me suggestions for bad laws that should be repealed. My opponent mentioned that there is a legislative commitee which is supposed to repeal bad laws. The only example I have found of that commitee repealing anything is when they removed the word idiot from the definition of those who would not be permitted to vote in Nevada. The commitee thought the word idiot too strong a word to describe someone without the mental capacity to participate in the voting process. There are many more laws in the Nevada Revised Statutes that need repealing and many laws that have more impact than a choice of semantics.

Hit the comments with suggestions.

Thanks.

Nevada Democrat Congresswoman gets Plastic Surgery; Misses Katrina Vote

This just in from The Drudge Report

NV Dem Skips Hurricane Katrina Vote To Have Neck Lift
Mon Feb 27 2006 09:39:45 ET

Skipping last fall’s vote on the Hurricane Katrina relief bill in order to get plastic surgery was worth it, says Rep. Shelley Berkley (D-Nev.), who loves her new look, ROLL CALL reports.

“For the last couple of years whenever I was on TV all I could do was look at my neck,” Berkley said in a recent online audio interview. “It was driving me crazy because my neck was starting to hang ... and it was making me very self conscious.”

Now, she joked in an interview with hosts of the Vegas-centric podcast show “The Strip,” “I have the neck of a 20-year-old and a 50-year-old body.” Until the Feb. 16 program, Berkley hadn’t said much about missing the September vote on the Katrina relief bill due to her nip-and-tuck job.

Berkley, 55, told the show’s co-hosts, Steve Friess and Miles Smith, “I decided that it was going to be very hard to hide and I’m a very public person.” And let’s face it, she said, that brilliant plastic surgeon “turned back the clock 10 years.”

Friess cracked Berkley up when he asked whether she thinks she’ll get more votes with her youthful, thinner neck. She laughed and said, “The 20-somethings! Maybe this will get them out to vote.”

Money is Better Used in Your Pocket

As I speak with people throughout District 26, some have said, "but what becomes of our public services if we restrict state government taxation?" During the 2005 Legislative session, we had a state surplus or around $830 million dollars. The largest tax increase in the history of Nevada was levied by the Legislature in 2003 and resulted in an annual tax increase of about $800 million dollars. I still maintain that the 2003 tax increase was entirely unnecessary.

I think that you decide how to use your money much better that the state government.

Iraq, Test as a Nation

Hat Tip: Michelle Malkin

Well, here is where we see if Iraq can remain a nation and not drop into civil war. I think that withstanding this test will confirm Iraq's ability to remain a long standing democratic republic in the Middle East. Of course nobody knows the outcome now but here is a test presented early and further proof that Islamic extremeists will stop at nothing to defeat freedom.

Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria

Great photo of a U.S. Army Apache helicopter over a castle in Germany. Just wanted to share it.

Dr. Seuss Editorial Cartoons

Thanks to : The Officers'Club

I thought it interesting to see the editorial cartoons produced by the famous Dr. Seuss between 1941 and 1943. Whether his illustrations were made for an adult audience or for children, his style is unmistakable.

These cartoons seem very relevant today in reference to the current enemy of the United States and Western Civilization.

Great Conservative Slogans

Courtesy of Bookworm Room

These are excellent!

My favorite examples:

"Bush spied, terrorists died."

"Democrats -- a 40 year war on poverty and still no exit strategy."


Richard Disney served as a captain in the U.S. Army and is now running for Nevada Assembly District 26.

A Soldier's Mantra

Hat Tip to The Officer's Club

When life sucks, I’m often reminded of this little saying:

When I’m tired, at least I’m not hungry
When I’m tired and hungry, at least I’m not cold
When I’m tired, hungry and cold, at least I’m not wet.
When I’m tired, hungry, cold, and wet, well… at least I’m not being shot at.And when I’m tired, hungry, cold, wet, and being shot at… well, it can only get better from there!

We Are Winning

Don't believe the main stream media out there. We are winning the Battle of Iraq. Now villagers are setting up checkpoints to keep terrorists out of their towns and tipping off American and Iraqi security forces at a higher and higher rate.

Representatives Who Represent

This was posted on BattleBornNews.com Saturday 4 February 2006 and was expanded upon during a public discussion on Bill Manders' show on AM 780 KKOH Radio, Wednesday February 9, 2006.

As noted in yesterday’s Nevada News & Views, Republican Ty Cobb threw his hat into the Reno-area Assembly District 26 ring yesterday. He joins Republicans Richard Disney and Mike Dillon in a three-way race for the GOP nomination to replace conservative Assemblywoman Sharron Angle in this very GOP-friendly district.

Interestingly, Cobb told Reno Gazette-Journal political reporter Anjeanette Damon yesterday that he did NOT support two ballot initiatives currently enjoying tremendous GOP and conservative support: Nevada’s versions of Prop 13 (sponsored by Angle) and TABOR (sponsored by Sen. Bob Beers). “We won’t need initiatives like that if we elected people like myself,” he told Damon.

Now where have I heard THAT before?

Extracted from Chuck Muths “News & Views”

Keep Going

Sorry State of Anti-War Protest

Hat tip Brain-Terminal.com

The sorry state of anti-war protests. Great video here illustrating how sorry and dull the anti-war movement has become.

Kudos to Andrew Marcus who took the video with a still camera that also takes video. Surprisingly good quality.

Money Lines on State of the Union Address

Submitted to Eric Odom on President Bush's State of the Union Address 2006.

"I will tell you this, President Bush covered more things than I thought he would." Richard Disney

"As I listen to what President Bush is saying, I find that I am proud to have voted for this man and I am pushing my chest out while I am listening to him." Richard Disney

Eric Odom
January 31, 2006 | 6:46 pm


Money lines just in from Richard Disney:

Decisions made by military commanders not politicians in Washington D.C.

Difference in responsible criticism and defeatism.

Second guessing is not a strategy.

We must keep our word and support the military in this vital mission.

I know what honor is. I face death in the secure knowledge that you won’t have to. SSG Dan Clay

Liberty is the right and hope of all humanity.

The same is true in Iran. Iran dominated by a small elite.

Iran must not be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons.

Free and Democratic Iran

Against isolationism

U.S. is a partner for a better life.

Superb professionals in law enforcement, intelligence and the military. They deserve our thanks. They deserve the same tools that fight drugs and organized crime. Reauthorize the patriot act.

Ask to make tax cuts permanent. Keep global economy growing.

Orderly and secure borders! Stronger immigration control and border protection.

Pre State of the Union Address Comments

I would like to hear President Bush emphasize tonight that we are winning the Global War on Terror (GWOT).

I want him to continue communicating the “ownership society” and tell us what his plan is to aid those who earn money in this country to be able to keep more of that money in their own pockets. I would love to hear President Bush challenge Congress on several issues:

Eliminate the Death Tax.

Continue the 15% top rate for the Capital Gains Tax.

Make the income tax cuts permanent.

Support (as Paul Harvey would say) us (U.S.) in winning the Battle of Iraq and the overall GWOT.

I think President Bush should emphasize that eavesdropping on suspected terrorist communications in this country has been a key element in avoiding another catastrophic terrorist attack on U.S. soil. I am concerned about any threat to individual liberty, but I think the threat to individual liberty is much greater if another major terrorist attack is successful in the United States no matter who is president at the time. What President Bush has done in the way of using the powers of the Commander in Chief pales in comparison to past presidents. When one considers that Abraham Lincoln put upwards of 30,000 people (including some members of Congress) in prison for the duration of the Civil War or that Franklin Roosevelt detained over 100,000 people of Japanese decent for the duration of World War 2, what President Bush is doing now is very reasonable and has proven effective thus far. The way Democrat leaders are criticizing the Patriot Act that they themselves voted for indicates that the Democrat party is treating national security as a partisan political opportunity.

I would really like to hear President Bush talk about the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito and how it should be no surprise that he (Bush) nominated a conservative judge to the Supreme Court. I think Bush should reiterate his vision of judges following a strict view of the U.S. Constitution. In essence I think judges at any level should be umpires and not be permitted to swing the bat. I think the last year has been a very good one for the United States and if January is any indication of the year to come, we are looking at great economic performance in 2006. Bush should emphasize the good things that are happening. He should lay out a continuing clear plan to continue improvements in the future. The key advantage Republicans have over Democrats right now is that Republicans have plans for the future. Democrats continue to focus on defeating Bush even though he will never be up for reelection again.

Winning in Iraq

A great look into how our troops are doing in Iraq. You wouldn't know they were doing well by most Old Media reports. I am really greatful for the advent of milblogs where information comes from the source...troops on the ground. Old Media will at times put down blogs as "not professional journalists". The writers of most successful blog are experts in their field through either education or experience. Here is an expert account from the front lines in Iraq.

H/T No End But Victory

If you’re curious as to why the Sunnis are turning against al Qaeda, read this letter from the Mayor of Tal Afar to General George W. Casey, Commanding General Multi-National Force Iraq:

“Our city was overrun by heartless terrorists, Zarqawi and his followers, who unloaded their bloodthirsty and voracious action of evil on this city for several months by indiscriminately killing men, women and children. Tall Afar was a human slaughterhouse. Simple services were not possible, causing the people to suffer, till the day you dispatched your troops, who were our lion-hearted saviors. Your troops came to rescue Tall Afar led by our heroes, whom Tall Afar will never forget. After the major operation, your wonderful soldiers started nursing the wounds of this city by rebuilding the damaged lives and buildings with great compassion and speed. These soldiers have done more than their original mission required of them. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”

For that news you can thank deployed milbloggers at Marketing in Iraq and The Will to Exist - who asks why that story didn’t make the mainstream media reports.

It's Not the Government's Money

"I will not be party to stealing money from one group
of citizens to give to another group of citizens; no
matter what the need or apparent justification. Once
the coffers of the federal government are open to
the public, there will be no shutting them again. It is
the responsibility of the citizens to support their
government. It is not the responsibility of the
government to support its citizens."

-- President Grover Cleveland

This is a great historical quote and illustrates one of
the biggest detriments to States' Rights and
Individual Liberty perpetrated by the ratification of
the 16th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The
16th Amendment permitted the Federal Income Tax.
Before the 16th Amendment, the Federal Government
received tax revenues from the States based on
each State's population. In that respect the Federal
Government had to be somewhat beholden to the
State Governments. After ratification of the 16th
Amendment, the Federal Government reached down
into the pockets of all individuals earning an income
and took revenue all the way back to Washington
D.C. From then on the Federal Government could
enforce its will over the State Governments by
holding money back until the State Governments
complied. Even on issues many would consider minor
the Fed now says, "You better reduce your speed
limit to 55 MPH or we (the Fed) will withhold your
highway money." Now, very little of the revenue
collected by the Federal Government ever finds its
way back to Nevada.

Soldiers Secure Checkpoint in Iraq

They secure America, so you don't have to.

I made "Most Loathsome People In America" List

Posted at Bloggingman2007 and BattleBornNews.com

Then again...so did you! Check out number four.

H/T Michelle Malkin.

You are listed just below George W. Bush on the 50 Most Loathsom People in America list. This shows you just how easy it is to be added to a lefty attack campaign. As angry at the world as the contributors to the "Most Loathsom" list seem to be, it is not difficult to be mentioned.

Richard Disney served as a captain in the U.S. Army and is now running for Nevada Assembly District 26.

Warrantless Searches in Peacetime? Outrageous!

I have been asked some questions of a more national and global nature but the answers affect us here in Nevada Assembly District 26. I ran across an article written by Andrew C. McCarthy that lists exceptions for needing to obtain a warrant for a search that are listed in federal law and have been backed up by District Courts and the U.S. Supreme Court.

In his coverage of the McCarthy article, Mark Levin asks the questions, "Where did the Supreme Court get the power to make such exceptions? And who checks the power of the justices?" Levin makes a very good point here. I think that the Supreme Court's role is to interpret the Constitution not to supercede it. And the overall point I see is that there are many clamoring for President Bush's impeachment, but I do not hear much fervor for checking or holding the U.S. Supreme Court accountable for actions already taken to undermine individual liberties protected in the Constitution.

Disney Answers Questions

I am sitting down to give an answer to each of these questions posted as a comment earlier on this web log. I attempted to post my answers as a comment on www.indynewsdaily.com but my comment post was rejected with the message "Your comments are too long (max. 5000 characters)"

Here are the original questions that I will answer by number:

Seeing that I live in Reno and will have the chance to vote for or against you I'd like to know your position on:
1. Intellectual property
2. privacy
3. Iraq
4. Veteran Medical Funding
5. habeas corpus

Many thanks
-Joe
Reno, NV

1. I support the right to intellectual property. In reference to my logo I will tell you what my legal advisors (I didn't just haphazardly put it up without research) told me.
a. It is protected political free speech.
b. It really IS my last name.
c. It uses a publicly available (at no cost) True Type font.
d. It is not being used to make money or to interfere with or prevent Walt Disney Corp from making money.
e. I will not besmirch the name since it is mine and I am running for political office.
f. It has made an impression on the mind of all those who see it.
g. I do not link the image of my logo with any product or service offered by Disney Corp.
h. It would be noticed.
i. I have contacts with Walt Disney Corp. I will say to you something you already know. Disney Corp is pretty much “Eisnerland” now and just as they voted Roy Disney off of the Board of Directors, they may still take issue with my use of the script in its present form. Did you back Roy Disney or Eisner in that fight? I still back Roy.

Something I have found comical through the many bloggosphere posts, emails and phone calls has been the fixation on the font and Disney Corp’s right to it. The attacks on me have come exclusively from sites oriented to the left of center. These attacks are especially passionate because I am a true Conservative. Blogs which profess to be against big corporations, without investigation, have immediately sided with one of the biggest and most profitable multinational corporations on the face of the earth against little old me. What ever happened to “taking it to The Man”?

2. I support the right to privacy against unreasonable searches and seizures. I think that we are in a state of war and I do not think it unreasonable to monitor electronic communications originating in other countries (especially in regions which have become havens of international terrorism) and being received in the United States or originating in the USA and going to foreign countries. I had a detailed discussion just last night with one of my brothers who differs with me on this issue because his baseline argument is that he agrees with the phrase: “if we give up freedom for security…we deserve neither.” Those that know me well know that I highly prize liberty and do not take it likely. I am confident that if there were more abuses of the Patriot Act, that the victims would be paraded before the American people one after another by Main Stream Media. As a former military officer I know that the way to win any war is to destroy the enemy’s ability or will to fight. The enemies of the United States win if we lose our ability or will to fight. I think that in time of war and particularly in this one, the loss of liberty will be far greater if another catastrophic event is perpetrated in the United States. In the case of a massive, nuclear, biological or chemical attack the federal government would suspend many more individual rights than conducting electronic surveillance. I think what the Bush Administration is doing in the area of electronic surveillance, is a tiny fraction of what past presidents have done even in peace time. I don’t like the electronic surveillance but I think it is a big reason we have not had another catastrophic terrorist attack on US soil. The Bush Administration could communicate what they are doing in a much better fashion but what they are doing is less invasive than the types of suspensions of individual liberties enacted by past presidents of both parties including Franklin Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson and Abraham Lincoln. I know that if another catastrophic attack occures in the United States that many of the same people accusing President Bush of doing too much will immediately after the attack, claim that he did too little.

3. I think that in reference to Iraq that it is a battle in the overall Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) and one in which we should not surrender. As a military officer, I was trained to identify an enemy’s “center of gravity” at the tactical and strategic levels of warfare. The center of gravity to me in the GWOT is the largest state sponsor of terrorism in the world. I do not think that Iraq is or was the center of gravity in the GWOT just as Italy was not the center of gravity for Fascism in World War Two. I think it is a battle that we must win. By taking the war to the enemy in Iraq, we have created a giant “roach motel” for terrorists. Terrorists from many countries are streaming into Iraq to fight our armed and armored troops instead of streaming into the United States to blow themselves and our civilians on our city streets. The terrorists understand the dire consequence to their morale and will if a democratically elected republic is established in the center of the Middle East. The Anti-Iraqi (foreign) terrorists are killing many more Iraqi forces and civilians than they are Americans and it is starting to turn the will of the Iraqi people against them to such a degree that Iraqi civilian assistance to U.S. and Iraqi forces is rising dramatically.
I do not think that Bush lied anymore than Clinton or multiple Democrats did when they pontificated about Saddam’s WMD threat to the world. Making a decision on bad information is not a lie. Bush was not the only one who received the bad information. The Senate Intelligence Committee had access to the same intelligence that Bush had. Also the Congress voted not once but twice to give Bush authority to conduct combat operations and do all that was necessary to prevent further attacks on U.S. soil. I think the only way for our terrorist enemies and their supporters to win is for us to surrender. I know many are already advocating surrender and have been for sometime. I do not think we should give up or surrender.

4. When it comes to Veteran Medical Funding, I as a veteran and life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, support the continuation of the program. I have seen reports of cuts in some areas of funding and services. I think taking care of troops who have served our country (especially in combat) is a top priority. I do not think that these programs are being cut because Americans aren’t paying enough in taxes. I think that Veteran’s programs are being cut because of non-Veteran entitlements which receive higher priority.

5. I think that what you are referring to here is a suspension of habeas corpus as regards prisoners in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and the American citizen named Padilla who has been held in military custody for more than a year (he was just turned over to the remand of the Justice Dept). I don’t like the suspension of habeas corpus but I don’t think that it applies in the case of the prisoners at Gitmo. I don’t think those prisoners have or should have protections under the United States Constitution or the Geneva Conventions. In the case of Padilla, I think from the limited data that I have garnered that his threat of constructing a “dirty bomb” was sufficiently heinous in time of war to warrant the suspension of habeas corpus in this case. I am not aware of any other cases pending of this type or I would address them. In comparison to historical precedent the suspension of habeas corpus of one American citizen in time of war pales in comparison to Franklin Roosevelt rounding up about 120,000 people of Japanese decent and putting them into concentration camps or Abraham Lincoln having, by some estimates, tens of thousands of Americans arrested and imprisoned during the Civil War.

Roy E. Disney and Richard Disney

Roy E. Disney receives the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Publicist Guild at the Beverly Hilton. It was a great day!

Spring Thaw in the Balkans

Thank you Blogging Man!

I just want to thank the great team of Bloggingman for allowing me to be part of the organization. Eric Odom is a visionary who sees the long term growth and influence of the Blogosphere.

I am seeing an example of the power of the Blogosphere today when someone on Daily Kos mentioned Blogging Man 2007 the negativity about the event from the loony left began immediately. Because my campaign website www.richarddisney.com is linked to the Blogging Man website, a veritable deluge of visitors came to my site and my blog. They complained about my having family values, advocating a reduction in taxation, liking the fact that Nevada's legislature meets only a few months every other year and even my logo.

With as much attention and bashing from the extreme left that Blogging Man has received thus far, this event will be a huge success. The great speakers and workshops at Blogging Man will make this event continue to grow over the years.

Disney's Future is Certain

I am glad to see that so many people are out there to protect The Walt Disney Corporation against some small local candidate like me. I am also happy that the use of my own name in a publicly available True Type font has driven so much visitor traffic to my site and blog.

To those of you out there who are concerned with the survival of The Walt Disney Corporation and its economic welfare, I am confident that Big Disney will remain economically viable.

Lean Mean Tax Fighting Machine

I am a Lean, Mean, Tax-Fighting Machine (well, at least I USED to be lean)! :)

Haloscan commenting and trackback have been added to this blog.

William F. Hecker III; Friend, Scholar, Patriot

It has been ten days since my friend Bill Hecker was killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq along with four other soldiers. I have spent the last week reflecting upon the influence Bill had on my life. I knew him well but briefly, only about four years when we were working together as commanders based in Germany. The impact his death has had on me has been profound.

I remember going on reconnaissance missions through the Mosel River Valley in Germany with Bill Hecker. Bill introduced me to Federweiser. Federweiser is made exclusively in the German wine country and is not even known by very many Germans outside the wine country. Bill was a master at sniffing out river crossings for military vehicles and a great restaurant usually tucked into some castle courtyard or tiny village square.

Bill Hecker was a connoisseur of fine food and drink and a true epicure in the best sense of the word. I remember rolling over hundreds of kilometers of German countryside with Bill running Headquarters Battery and me running Service Battery. Together we controlled the entire logistics capability for a 600 man artillery battalion. Bill and I would leapfrog our units across roads and fields while supplying beans, bullets, food, fuel, medics, communication, command and control on a twenty-four hour basis. We would combine different parts of both units to maximum efficiency. I felt in our actions as if Bill Hecker was a brother. We worked so well together that the two Battalion Executive Officers that were with 4-27 Field Artillery during our tenure Major David McCauley and Major William Miracle rarely had to deal with anything but family support issues back home while Hecker and I were on the logistics job. Bill Hecker always kept me laughing and was a true professional who cared deeply for the troops.

Bill introduced me to the world of great books and started me collecting leatherbound classic books from Easton Press. I still collect books to this day. Much of my knowledge of literature comes from the authors introduced to me by Bill Hecker. The most memorable author which I encountered through Bill was Milan Kundera who wrote Immortality and The incredible Lightness of Being. Before deploying to Bosnia, Hecker read and studied books such as The Bridge on the Drina by Ivo Andric to build rapport with the people of the region. I read now that he did the same in preparation for deployment to Iraq. Bill was truly a modern eclectic renaissance man.

Bill was officially known as William Friedrich Hecker III. He was a direct male descendant of Friedrich Karl Franz Hecker who was one of the most popular heroes of uprisings in Germany in 1848 calling for a constitutional republic. I remember Bill Hecker being pulled out of the field to attend a public relations meeting in Constance, Germany were he was literally given a key to the city and an apartment for his use any time he would visit. As the great, great, great, great grandson of Friedrich Hecker, Bill was celebrated by many Germans for a reason unknown to most people in America and was an excellent ambassador between the countries. Bill was always a patriotic American first but was proud of his eccentric German heritage.

I remember tipping German biers at the Rheinlander Club in Baumholder, Germany and in various Gasthauses across the German countryside. I remember drinking fine wines on a Rhein River cruise with Bill and our fellow officers. Hecker was always the instigator of a laugh-out-loud joke or a deadly serious discussion about history and warfare. Bill is different from the common image of a soldier. Bill was an intellectual and a scholar warrior. He even wrote a book. I will miss Bill Hecker tremendously, for the impact he made on my life. Bill is the type of man that exemplifies the people fighting to keep attacks like the one which killed him in Iraq instead of on our home streets. I salute you and thank you Bill Hecker.

Press Release Archive

Richard Disney has "Quote of the Day" on Nevada Newsmakers

Reno, NV - Jan 09, 2006 Richard Disney is listed on Nevada Newsmakers "Quote of the Day" webpage as saying: “I would like to repeal the state part of the gas tax, I don’t think most Nevadans know this, but we pay the second highest gas tax of any state in the nation. I think Sharron Angle and Don Gustavson were right, I don’t think all those (tax) increases from 2003 were necessary and that is shown in our eight hundred million dollar surplus right now.”

Richard Disney was invited to appear on the Nevada Newsmakers television program a few weeks ago and the program was published on the internet January 4, 2006 if you want to see it yourself. The segment was also broadcast on KKOH Radio 780 on Sunday January 8, 2006.
Richard Disney speaks on his core beliefs
When asked what he planned to do in the Nevada State Assembly, Disney replied that he was dedicated to repealing two bad laws for every new bill he brings to the floor.

Disney was quoted on BattleBornN ews.com as saying, "I appreciate the opportunity to appear on Nevada Newsmakers and get my message out once again that Nevadans are overtaxed and overregulated. We need less taxes, less spending and fewer laws, not more. When appearing as a guest on a television program, one does not have any control upon which statement will be quoted after the fact. I applaud Nevada Newsmakers for choosing a quote which is at the core of what I stand for and what Nevadans need."

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About Richard Disney

Disney served as a captain in the U.S. Army. His service includes Operation Promote Liberty in Panama and Operation Joint Endeavor in Bosnia. Now a Reno based businessman, he is running for Nevada’s 26th Assembly District nested in Washoe County.
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Richard Disney on Nevada Newsmakers

Reno, NV - Jan 02, 2006 The Nevada Newsmakers program was announced in today's issue of the Reno Gazette Journal as follows: Today: Host Sam Shad, co-host Ray Hagar, Reno Gazette-Journal; Marilyn Newton, photojournalist for Reno Gazette-Journal and author; Andrea Robb- Bradick, Reno resident and owner of the Jim Butler Motel in Tonopah; Richard Disney, candidate for state Assembly; Anjeanette Damon, statehouse bureau chief for the Reno Gazette-Journal. Details: "Nevada Newsmakers" airs 12:30 to 1 p.m. Monday through Thursday on KRNV-TV News 4.

If you miss the televised broadcast, you can still see Richard Disney's segment through streaming video at the Nevada Newsmakers website www.nevadanewsmakers.com.
Richard Disney speaks on his core beliefs
This is an excellent opportunity to find out what Richard Disney stands for and what he will do when elected to the Nevada State Assembly. Disney states once again that he will fight to repeal two bad laws for every new bill he brings to the Assembly floor.

Learn more...
About Richard Disney

Disney served as a Captain in the U.S. Army. His service includes Operation Promote Liberty in Panama and Operation Joint Endeavor in Bosnia. Now a Reno based businessman, he is running for Nevada’s 26th Assembly District nested in Washoe County.
Website: http://www.richarddisney.com

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For Immediate Release Contact: Richard Disney
December 2, 2005 775-321-9651

Disney Takes the Lead Against New Taxes
Challenge to Opponents Results in All Candidates in 26th District
Signing No-New-Taxes Pledge

(Reno, NV) Richard Disney (R-Nevada) was the first candidate for the Nevada State Legislature to sign the Taxpayer Protection Pledge and challenged his opponents to do the same. Disney is pleased to announce his challenge has resulted in all Republican candidates in Nevada’s 26th District signing the pledge.

Now, Disney wants to issue a challenge to all Republican candidates running in Nevada to sign the No-New-Tax Pledge. To find out more about the ATR No-New-Taxes Pledge or to see if the candidates in your district have signed the pledge visit www.atr.com.

Coining the term “Harry Reid Republicans”, Disney is taking his commitment to conservative values to the next level and creating a “Harry Reid Republicans” list on www.richarddisney.com. The “Harry Reid Republicans” list will be a weekly post of candidates and legislators who support issues against the core Republican values of lower taxes, less government regulation, and family values.

“I’m one of those disappointed Republicans in Nevada,” commented Disney. “I have heard candidates tout Republican endorsers for their campaigns that also endorsed Sen. Harry Reid! Let’s hold those Harry Reid Republicans accountable for their actions against the Republican party.”

Disney served as a Captain in the U.S. Army. His service includes Operation Promote Liberty in Panama and Operation Joint Endeavor in Bosnia. Now a Reno based businessman, he is running for Nevada’s 26th Assembly District nested in Washoe County.

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For Immediate Release Contact: Richard Disney
November 21, 2005 775-321-9651

Disney Pledges to Oppose New Taxes
Challenges Opponents in the 26th Assembly Race to Sign No-New-Taxes Pledge

(Reno, NV) Pledging to never vote for new and higher taxes of hard working Nevada families, conservative Republican Richard Disney (R-Reno) signed the Americans for Tax Reform “No-New-Taxes Pledge” and encouraged his opponents to do the same.

In a challenge to all declared candidates in the 26th Assembly District, Disney called for the end of new taxes in Nevada and encouraged all Republicans to step up to the test. In addition to signing the pledge, Disney supports the principals of limited government and vowed to introduce bills to repeal two bad laws for every new bill he introduces.

Richard Disney is the only Nevada State Legislative Candidate to sign the "Taxpayer Protection Pledge" and is surprised that he is alone in his stand. Disney said his aim is, "...to restrict the growth of government at both ends, taxes and spending."

“Disney has committed to protecting Nevada Taxpayers by signing the No-New-Taxes Pledge and encouraging other candidates to sign as well” commented Eric Odom of the Nevada Independent Conservatives. “He continues to demonstrate the leadership ability necessary to oppose and fight any efforts to increase our taxes.”

Richard Disney served as a Captain in the U.S. Army. His service includes Operation Promote Liberty in Panama and Operation Joint Endeavor in Bosnia. Now a Reno based businessman, he is running for Nevada’s 26th Assembly District nested in Washoe County.

To find out more about the ATR No-New-Taxes Pledge or to see a copy of Disney’s signed pledge visit www.richarddisney.com.

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