Education: If the Scores Don't Rise, You Must Revise!~Not just add more $ to failing system #tcot http://www.cato-at-liberty.org/naep-if-the-scores-dont-rise-you-must-revise/#utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A Cato-at-liberty %28Cato at Liberty%29

So when Obama talked abt a spending freeze he meant at current multi-TRILLION dollar deficit level? #tcot http://ping.fm/zHxTT

FACT CHECK: Obama and his imbalanced ledger #tcot http://ping.fm/5kIJP

Smell like Tron~Disney Tron Eau de Toilette Spray #disney http://ping.fm/QpN81

Army Fire Support Officer develops iPhone app to direct & coordinate fires #tcot #army #usmc #military http://ping.fm/uvXjp

Army Bn Fire Support Officer develops iPhone app to direct & coordinate fires #tcot #army #usmc #militaryThere's an iPhone App For That - FoxNews.com http://ping.fm/huP4e

Man Acquitted of Crimes Associated w Asserting Rights~VID of TSA police @ NM airport #tcot http://www.cato-at-liberty.org/man-acquitted-of-crimes-associated-with-asserting-his-rights/#utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A Cato-at-liberty %28Cato at Liberty%29

NYC taxcollectors take aim at rich/famous like Alec Baldwin~Oh well he supports higher taxes anyway #tcot http://ping.fm/1z0r0

Intent of Intnet was so redundant tht nuke war couldn't stop it, now they want a Killswitch? #tcot http://ping.fm/NuX0e

If US lowered or eliminated tax on corps most of these assets wld be in US building econ #tcot http://www.cato-at-liberty.org/english-anti-tax-haven-ideologues-are-just-as-foolish-and-ignorant-as-their-american-cousins/#utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A Cato-at-liberty %28Cato at Liberty%29

Yes! A new Pharmaceutical Federal Agency. That'll fix the problem #tcot http://ping.fm/UMRm1

State Corporate Welfare Programs Under Fire~Good, finally. #tcot http://www.cato-at-liberty.org/state-corporate-welfare-programs-under-fire/#utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A Cato-at-liberty %28Cato at Liberty%29

What The Heck Happened to the Anti-War Movement? #tcot http://ping.fm/jzx4U

Olbermann out @ MSNBC~Lessens coarseness of debate. Comcast makin' changes #tcot http://ping.fm/ECXXS

SanFran w $1.6B shortfall, pays employees $170 million in bonuses~Wall St Bad;SF Good #tcot http://ping.fm/BNT3k

State BK Option Is Sought, Quietly~Passing debt to Fed Govt just speeds Fed collapse #tcot http://ping.fm/AqT4M

Breakthrough Laser Could Revolutionize Navy's Weaponry #tcot #navy #army #usmc #military http://ping.fm/QOx35

Lion-meat Tacos? Probably pretty gamey. Heh http://ping.fm/q8y0N

VID JFK:Cut in Corp & Pers Income Tax~Tax cutting Dem? How archaic #tcot http://ping.fm/kc0xg

House GOP Lists $2.5 Trillion in Spending Cuts~Its a start #tcot http://ping.fm/PbY6I

Government's disease-Too big to do much well George Will~& getting worse #tcot http://ping.fm/X0QhM

House Vote to Repeal ObamaCare More bipartisan&popular thn orig vote #tcot http://www.cato-at-liberty.org/house-vote-to-repeal-obamacare-is-more-than-mere-symbolism/#utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A Cato-at-liberty %28Cato at Liberty%29

IRS Demanding Foreigners report tax to Foreign Govts. Bad for US Econ #tcot http://www.cato-at-liberty.org/the-irs-run-amok/#utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A Cato-at-liberty %28Cato at Liberty%29

Obama Admin Plans to Create Internet ID for All Americans?~That's not intrusive or Big Bro at all! #tcot http://ping.fm/eOb3T

725 New Laws for Calif in 2011~Bliss is just one law or reg away #tcot http://ping.fm/4cJxN

3 Fed Agencies join forces to seize fake sports memorabilia~Are there any greater threats? Nah! #tcot http://ping.fm/duoK2

Has Regulation Put An End To Rule Of Law?-TSowell #tcot #ocra http://ping.fm/KZZnf

Getting ready to cook steak & lobster tails. Strange tradition 4 XmasEve but...

Obama to regulate greenhouse gases from power plants~say hi to sky-hi utility bills #tcot http://ping.fm/lo9PM

Obama Admin ignores Congress&Courts, grabs power over Internet #tcot http://ping.fm/4PFRj

Congress Makes most laws Since '60s~Law production up, Economic production down #tcot http://ping.fm/XHFrY

Roy E. Disney Died One Year Ago Today; Rest in Peace http://ping.fm/XoB4q

Roy E. Disney Died One Year Ago Today; Rest in Peace

Roy E. Disney with Richard Disney at Publicist Guild Awards Dinner in Los Angeles, California

Roy passed away one year ago today. Rest in Peace.

Happy Bill of Rights Day #tcot http://www.cato-at-liberty.org/bill-of-rights-day-4/#utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A Cato-at-liberty %28Cato at Liberty%29

Fed Judge Rules Obamacare provision Unconstitutional~Didn't know ppl still read it. #tcot http://ping.fm/USvTw

US may pass new law to prosecute Assange~Const Art1Sec9 ex post facto clause? #tcot http://ping.fm/U7nRn

New Mexican-American War coming? #tcot http://ping.fm/kB9HC

Gitmo Justified by Dem Congress #tcot http://ping.fm/26k9i

Navy RailGun Sets World Record~SciFi becoming real, smaller ships w more power #tcot #navy http://ping.fm/fmBjZ

Socialist Sanders Filibusters Tax Deal for 9hrs~Good filibuster until Jan 3 wn Repubs take HOR #tcot http://ping.fm/ycFMl

VID:Obama Ditches Presser After Bill Clinton Takes Control~Obama is weak #tcot http://ping.fm/Gr6xz

Iran Placing Missiles in Venezuela; Can Reach the U.S.~Obama "Cuba Missle Crisis"? OMG #tcot http://ping.fm/BwNYs

Tuition Rioting students attack Royals~Students to pay for their education? Horrors! #tcot http://ping.fm/XXe6L

America's Political Class: In Business for Themselves~Obviously #tcot http://ping.fm/dBWM2

Social Security: Successful Failure~Abysmal irreversibly insolvent failure & success for Lib/Progs #tcot http://ping.fm/UFLms

Dems Gone Wild: "F*%k the President"~Stay classy Dems #tcot http://biggovernment.com/publius/2010/12/09/profanity-anger-spill-over-in-democratic-caucus-meeting/

US Treasurys Prices Plunge for 2nd Day on Deficit Fears~Promise of US Govt not what used to be #tcot http://ping.fm/bC52K

Turns Out You Can Indeed Criticize Govt #tcot http://www.cato-at-liberty.org/it-turns-out-you-can-indeed-criticize-the-government/#utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A Cato-at-liberty %28Cato at Liberty%29

Repubs put "Prince of Pork" to Chair Appropriations~Lovely #tcot http://www.cato-at-liberty.org/prince-of-pork-to-chair-appropriations/#utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A Cato-at-liberty %28Cato at Liberty%29

Ron `End the Fed' Paul, to Lead Fed Oversight Panel~May be entertaining #tcot http://ping.fm/Ld3Q5

Pelosi: Must...Raise...Taxes. Can't leave well enough alone. #tcot http://ping.fm/aKPgL

Amazon Kindle App for Web & More in Bid Against Google~Ebook war heating up #tcot http://ping.fm/yBtIp

Does anyone know what inalienable means anymore? You know like Individual Rights? #tcot http://ping.fm/eKAIl

Does anyone know what inalienable means anymore? You know like Individual Rights? #tcot http://ping.fm/lBzly

4th Amndmnt:Right of People to be secure in persons houses papers & effects against searches & seizures shall not be violated #tcot http://ping.fm/HBmGM

TSA Sued for Violating 4th Amendment #tcot http://ping.fm/XeNAV

Reid tries to shove gambling in taxcut deal~Not taxcuts but gambling not germain #tcot http://ping.fm/hENSI

Pearl Harbor Day. #navy #army #usmc #af #military #tcot http://ping.fm/aszmr

"Nobody (rich or poor) is getting a tax cut during the Lame Duck Congress" "Politics mostly deception" TSowell #tcot

Thomas Sowell: Rhetoric Rides Again #tcot http://ping.fm/Jnfal

Lieberman: NY Times' WikiLeaks Treason~WikiLeaks/Assange isn't treason, they aren't Americans. NYTimes is. #tcot http://ping.fm/7LTem

ObamaCare waivers now up to 222~I guess it wasn't the great program it was supposed to be. #tcot http://ping.fm/M7wZj

Catch-and-release of AfstanTaliban angers troops~Guess there'll be fewer captures more killed #tcot http://ping.fm/7c9Er

YouTube - Defunding National Public Radio !!! #tcot http://ping.fm/QaxaF

Visit Richard Disney's New Blog

The Blogging continues at richarddisney.conservablogs.com .

Please visit the new site.

Thanks for all the visits!

Are You Living Consciously Online?

Hat Tip: chrisbrogan.com

We spend a lot of time online these days, and for some of us, our passion for social media and social networking has us digging deep into all kinds of new services, tending our various social farms, and performing lots of maintenance on all we’ve built. We add on top of this our content creation, our content consumption, and the other ways we use the Web, and then on top of that our other online communications channels like IM, Skype, and Utterz. Add to this our gaming, and how many hours are we consuming?

Today, I’m thinking about the various ways in which I spend my time on the web, asking myself how they align with my business and social interests, and wondering what I might be doing out of habit versus that which might be part of a plan. I’m considering how my contributions to social platforms matter, and thinking about ways that I can do good work for others.

How are you spending your time online? Are you making a difference? How much of what you do is according to a plan of some sort? Or is the web just a relief valve?

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Renaming the paradigm

Hat Tip: Bookworm Room

Bookworm Room » Renaming the paradigm *UPDATED*

Visit Richard Disney's New Blog

The Blogging continues at richarddisney.conservablogs.com .

Please visit the new site.

Thanks for all the visits!

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.