By Noel Bagwell
November 25, 2009

So, I’m reading Arguing With Idiots (very, very slowly; in fact, the reading has come to a stand-still, as I prep for finals). The book is, in part, about why returning to more libertarian principles – particularly principles of limited (federal) government – is necessary if we are to turn the country around. People voted, in 2008, for change, but they got a different sort of change than that for which they voted. This is the kind of change we need:

Wikipedia >> Grover Cleveland >> Vetoes

Cleveland faced a Republican Senate and often resorted to using his veto powers.^[90] He vetoed hundreds of private pension bills for American Civil War veterans, believing that if their pensions requests had already been rejected by the Pensions Bureau, Congress should not attempt to override that decision.^[91] When Congress, pressured by the Grand Army of the Republic, passed a bill granting pensions for disabilities not caused by military service, Cleveland also vetoed that.^[92] Cleveland used the veto far more often than any president up to that time.^[93] In 1887, Cleveland issued his most well-known veto, that of the Texas Seed Bill.^[94] After a drought had ruined crops in several Texas counties, Congress appropriated $10,000 to purchase seed grain for farmers there.^[94] Cleveland vetoed the expenditure. In his veto message, he espoused a theory of limited government (below).

I can find no warrant for such an appropriation in the Constitution, and I do not believe that the power and duty of the general government ought to be extended to the relief of individual suffering which is in no manner properly related to the public service or benefit. Federal aid in such cases encourages the expectation of paternal care on the part of the government and weakens the sturdiness of our national character, while it prevents the indulgence among our people of that kindly sentiment and conduct which strengthens the bonds of a common brotherhood.
Cleveland’s Veto of the Texas Seed Bill
February 16, 1887^[89]

That last sentence rings truer now than I think it ever has before. “Federal aid . . . encourages the expectation of paternal care on the part of the government and weakens the sturdiness of our national character.” Has our national character not deteriorated into something that would have been unrecognizable as American by our Founding Fathers? Cleveland said, “…it prevents the indulgence among our people of that kindly sentiment and conduct which strengthens the bonds of a common brotherhood.”

Do you feel like it is your civic duty to help those in need, to reach out and lend a hand? Of course the socially acceptable answer is, “Yes, of course,” but do you really do it? Do I? Why don’t we? Because of welfare. The government is there. People can go get a hand-out, if they’re “unable” or unwilling to work. It used to be the case that churches and families provided such aid to the indigent and disabled. Now, the government has taken over that role.

If you think people need more healthcare, better healthcare, if you think they need food or clothing or shelter, ask yourself if you really believe the federal (or even state) government should provide it, or if that’s something we, the private citizenry should do. Only by voting for politicians who represent and uphold Grover Cleveland’s notions of limited government can we reclaim that kindly sentiment and conduct which strengthens the bonds of a common brotherhood.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Cass Sunstein: Censor Hannity, right-wing rumors.

By Noel Bagwell
November 24, 2009

Today, I believe, the U.S. is more culturally divided than any other time since 9.11. You can’t even watch a simple comedy show (sorry for the redundancy) without getting a dose of the writers’ political views. Furthermore, it’s rare to ever see anything conservative on any of those shows that’s not being mocked or demonized.

I guess I shouldn’t have been so shocked, since Family Guy seems to mock everything in relatively equal proportion, but I was pleasantly surprised to hear Quagmire’s recent rant about why he can’t stand Brian. He pretty much summed up exactly how I feel about Brian and other hippies, liberals, secular-progressives, pretentious pseudo-intellectual bores, etc.

I wish I could say I didn’t feel like standing and cheering, but I can’t honestly say that. I’m still not entirely sure that conservatives aren’t, at last, being mocked – their champion being characterized as a sexual deviant, and not a particularly bright one – in this episode. But I have to say, I kind-of don’t care. I’m just glad someone said what Quagmire said, even if it was him.

Political correctness is a disease, an intellectual – and ultimately moral – cancer. Based on false notions about “equality” and “fairness” which are about as helpful as a speed limit sign that says “40 MPH… maybe,” the doctrine of political correctness has squelched our freedom of speech in so many areas of modern life without even having a lot of real, substantive laws passed. What I appreciate about Family Guy is the near-absence of political correctness, coupled with the occasional mocking thereof.

Yes, we are culturally and ideologically divided in America, and there are only two ways this can end: traditional notions can prevail, and we can reclaim our status as the most powerful nation in the world; or modern liberalism/secular-progressive ideology can win and we can be conquered by our enemies, because we refuse to do what it takes to win against them. If you don’t think that can happen, ask yourself how the Ft. Hood shooting was possible. The evidence is there for all to see. Ask yourself why the President would urge Congress to put off the probe into the Ft. Hood shooting.

Modern liberalism is both an economic and political road to serfdom, and political correctness is one of the feudal lords’ greatest bullies. It’s encouraging to see that being resisted in popular culture, even if those efforts are imperfect, half-joking, self-deprecating and wanting for gravitas.

By Noel Bagwell
November 21, 2009

I have decided, at some point in the future, to acquire an English Bulldog.

An English Bulldog

I would like to name my English Bulldog “Sloppy Joe.”

My wife and I have a tuxedo cat, named Jasper, who is the King Of Everything From The Doorknobs Down. We considered adopting a polydactyl cat, this year, but decided against it. Right now, adding another “heartbeat” – be it a dog, cat or miniature human (and by that I mean a baby, not a little person; I wouldn’t want anyone to misunderstand me to be saying that I would keep a “little person” as a pet, because that’s just not right) – would just be too much. Our apartment is the perfect size for our current family, but wouldn’t be large enough for any additional personalities.

Also, I grew up with a wonderful black lab named “Princess,” and I just can’t imagine having a dog without having an appropriately sized yard for my canine companion to enjoy. I’m not judging anyone who has a dog in an apartment, but I just couldn’t do it. I would feel like it’s not fair to them. Plus, I don’t want to have to take a dog out to “do its business” – especially when it would involve as many flights of stairs as it currently would. No, I think it is best to wait until we have a house and a yard to get a dog.

I just want to express, here, my intentions… for no particular reason. You gotta love that name, huh? “Sloppy Joe.” It’s the perfect English Bulldog name.

Champion English Bulldog

Climate sceptics claim leaked emails are evidence of collusion among scientists | Environment | guardian.co.uk.

catsforgold.com.

I’m considering adding this business as a sponsor. What do you think?

By Noel Bagwell
November 18, 2009

Okay, little disclaimer: I’m not entirely sure how this works. Contrary to popular belief (in my family), I’m not a techno-geek… at least not enough of one to know how the widgets available through WordPress.com work.

I do know that the little read-out is telling me that my cause is Stand Up 2 Cancer. I know this because I chose that cause and put the widget on my sidebar. It’s also telling me that my “Goal Progress” is currently at 42%, and that the “Total Raised” is $27,764.00. My widget is sponsored by Macy’s.

I assume that for each click, Macy’s donates a certain sum of money to Stand Up 2 Cancer. So, keep those clicks coming! I’m happy to be a part of helping fund cancer research, but I need your help to do it! Click away, my friends, click away!

By Noel Bagwell
November 18, 2009

The ‘Debate’

The Clarksville Courthouse, rebuilt after being destroyed by a tornado in 1999.

With so much lipservice being paid to “Main Street,” these days, one would think that a puff-piece for one’s hometown in the local paper, based on accolades that hometown received in a nationally-distributed business magazine would generate a fair amount of pride in the population of the town… and so it has. It has, however, also generated a fair amount of controversy.

Here’s the puff-piece from The Leaf Chronicle I mentioned:

City tops magazine’s list

BusinessWeek: ‘Tennessee’s Best Place to Raise Your Kids’ is Clarksville

This week brings just another in a series of accolades from major, national publications for Clarksville — Tennessee’s fifth-largest city.

In the latest, Business Week magazine calls Clarksville “Tennessee’s Best Place to Raise Your Kids.”

That follows another ranking last month from CNNMoney. com, which called Clarksville the fourth-best place to launch a business among all midsized cities in America.

BusinessWeek used a stringent set of criteria in its rankings, while acknowledging that the conversation about who’s best is subject to extensive debate.

Safety, along with school test scores, air quality and affordability, were weighted especially highly in this year’s BusinessWeek calculations.

“But we also considered job growth, diversity and amenities such as museums, parks, and theaters,” wrote BusinessWeek reporter Prashant Gopal.

The magazine is published in New York City.

Ranked as runners-up behind Clarksville within Tennessee are Hendersonville and Johnson City.

Meanwhile Tinley Park, Ill., near Chicago, is America’s Best Place to Raise Your Kids, according to BusinessWeek.

Clarksville, home of Fort Campbell and soon to be home to a $1.2 billion Hemlock Semiconductor LLC plant, finished as Tennessee’s best place in the eyes of BusinessWeek because of its proximity to Nashville and its distinction as one of the nation’s fastest-growing communities. BusinessWeek lists Clarksville’s city population at 118,209 people, and median family income at $53,795.

“It (Clarksville) has a lot of new buildings — schools, hospital and subdivisions. Its low cost of living and good schools make it a choice setting for families,” Gopal wrote.

He won’t get an argument from Laurie Bowers Campbell, a local Realtor, who is among the first locals to greet newcomers to Clarksville. Campbell said one of the city’s greatest assets for kids and families is geography. It’s situated not only near Nashville, but also Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, she noted.

“A lot of little things combine to make this a great place for people to move into,” said Campbell, who is with Prudential Professionals Realty.

“Because of Fort Campbell, we have kids who go through our school system from all over the world. That exposes all of our children to the world through the eyes of people who’ve really seen it all.

“I think our local education system is doing real well. Our schools compare favorably to the state as a whole,” she said.

Growth and opportunities at Austin Peay State University, plus Clarksville’s proximity to other large institutions of higher learning like Middle Tennessee State University and Vanderbilt University, also make this community stand out as an enviable place to be, Campbell said.

“We are close to Nashville with all it has to offer in theater and the arts, but yet we’re also less than an hour’s drive away from the lakes for hunting, fishing and outdoor activities. We can enjoy all of these things as Clarksvillians without incurring a lot of overnight expenses.

“As a parent, having Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital close by, with a daughter who’s had cancer, was such a blessing for me.

“Within Montgomery County, people have their choice of living in quiet rural areas or more-metropolitan-style areas with gated communities,” she said. “These are just some of our advantages.”

A sampling of some other states’ best cities for raising children — Clarksville’s peers at least in the eyes of BusinessWeek — include neighboring Kentucky where Owensboro won out; Dothan, Ala.; Springdale, Ark.; Warner Robins, Ga.; Gulfport, Miss.; Blue Springs, Mo.; Chapel Hill, N.C.; Rock Hill, S.C.; Virginia Beach, Va.; Pembroke Pines, Fla.; Tucson, Ariz.; Lake Charles, La.; Arcadia, Calif.; Highlands Ranch, Colo.; Portland, Maine; Great Falls, Mont.; San Marcos, Texas; and a city in Nevada that’s simply called, Paradise.

Jimmy Settle is business editor and can be reached by phone at (931)245-0247.

The comments on this article on The Leaf Chronicle’s website regarding this article are far from unanimously positive – or, in several cases, even constructive.

Here are some examples:

chickenshift wrote:
THIS IS SO FUNNY. GANGS galore, Drugs everywhere,

rnhbhr wrote:
Just fill out the form and make us look good.Do not worry about the truth.

Beasley34 wrote:
Last year a publication said Clarksville was the worst place in America to raise a kid. They based their info on the spending per student of the education system. Well, I moved away, not raising my kid there who will be here next month. * * * Besides, if you’re basing a location to raise your family from a magazine article, you probably get what you deserve.

Bob_Sacamano wrote:
The ‘peeps’ who wrote this article obviously do not know of the evils and bad things that the Mayor has single handedly perpetrated on the innocent citizens/victims of Clarksville. They just don’t ‘get’ how really bad it has gotten here (and getting worse everyday). They just don’t get it….. BS-

After these first negative posts, some people stood up, so to speak, against the negativity and responded with a little hometown pride, but in almost all cases failed to argue that Clarksville has substantive merits that outweigh the negative attributes of which the commenters above are complaining.

Clarksville does have problems. Substance abuse is rampant, and problems with substance abuse span all socio-economic layers of the community. Gangs do exist, though – relative to other cities – they are relatively small, compartmentalized and introverted. There is corruption in city politics. There is economic waste, and short-sightedness resulting from that corruption and/or ineptitude in city government, too. Find me a city in America that doesn’t have at least one of the problems mentioned above, though.

Clarksville is a great place to raise your kids. It’s true, particularly when you consider the alternatives around the country. What the people with a small-town point of view fail to recognize, however, is that it won’t remain a great place to raise your kids, if Clarksville continues to receive accolades (basically, a recommendation) from magazines and other national publications, like Business Week, and they fail to rise to the challenge of an influx of people resulting from those good reviews of the town.

It’s The Economy, Stupid

My wife and I just moved away from Cary, North Carolina, so I could attend law school in another part of the country. Cary is consistently rated one of the top places to live in the nation, and people from New York, New Jersey, California and everywhere else are swarming there. You know what brings them there, for the most part?

Research Triangle Park. SAS, the world’s largest privately owned software company; Sony-Ericsson; IBM; Fidelity; and many other companies provide conditions that somewhat insulate against recession. Because there is so much industry and such a high rate of employment in that area, tax revenues are relatively high, providing community amenities and services not available elsewhere.

The key is jobs. If you took all the restaurants and bars out of Clarksville, and you took away the military base, what would you have? Trane? the Hospital? Downtown? Clarksville needs jobs, and it needs the infrastructure – specifically roads, a viable airport and railway support – to support big businesses that will bring and keep good, high-paying jobs in Clarksville.

So, Clarksville is one of the best places to raise kids? What happens when those kids grow up and have no place to work? What happens to the neighborhoods? What happens to the crime rate? What happens to the community parks? What happens to the hospital? What happens to the schools?

Can the tax revenues currently generated from the population support an influx of Yankees and Out-Westers relocating to “one of the best places to raise your kids?” Not without better businesses, more businesses, more jobs and better infrastructure.

If Clarksville wants to be a “best place to” do anything (retire, raise kids, etc.), it needs to get rid of the small-town mindset and good-ol’-boy politics that foster corruption, complacency and the inability to compete. It needs, too, to clean up the drugs and gangs and to make public amenities cost-effective and available in areas where they will be used, appreciated and not vandalized.

Ming Pao reports, translated by CDT:

To Welcome Obama: T-Shirt with Obama in Red Guard Uniform Taken Off the Shelf

For the reception of US President Obama, a style of T-shirt selling well at souvenir stores and vendors in Beijing has been removed from shelves.

The T-shirts have Obama’s image in a Red Guard uniform. Since he was elected the US president last year, the T-shirt has had a ready market. According to some business owners, they got calls last week from Beijing Municipal Government demanding them to stop the sale of this kind of T-shirt immediately. And inspection officers even came to stores to make sure the T-shirts are off the shelf.

Business owners have been notified that after Obama ends his visit to China, they can resume the sale.

Obama is arriving in Shanghai on Nov.15th, and is scheduled to visit Beijing from Monday to Wednesday.

See also a report from Monsters and Critics.

By Noel Bagwell
November 17, 2009

According to their Facebook Page, Fox News is going to be interviewing Obama, tomorrow. Here’s what their Facebook post said:

Fox News interviews President Obama! We ask the tough questions on jobs, deficits, health care, and our troops overseas. It’s the interview you’ve been asking for, TOMORROW, November, 18th on Special Report, 6pm ET.

What does this mean for the administration? Does it mean their War on Fox is over, or that they’re just raising the white flag to come out and parley? Parley… Sounds kinda… Frenchie French…

Typical. Since we’re speculating, how about a serious hypothesis? The President has committed to trying to ram socialized health care down the throats of the American public – whether they want it or not – and the greatest opposition in the media world to his efforts comes from Fox News. Why not engage them, since ignoring them has apparently had a negative (from the administration’s point of view) effect, so far?

Anita Dunn (lover of all things Mao & Mother Theresa) isn’t in the way anymore, so… who’s idea was this? Surely it wasn’t that smug, chubby bastard, Robert Gibbs, the puppet-mouthpiece of the administration. He barely entertains the mention of the White House’s War on Fox News from the press corps. An example from a November 9, 2009 Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs:

Q    One other.  Valerie Jarrett the other day was asked about the ongoing back-and-forth with Fox News.  She used the phrase that she and others in the administration are speaking “truth to power.”  Is that the administration’s view of how you guys are behaving?

MR. GIBBS:  I don’t know that I saw the interview that you’re referring to.

Q    She characterized your stance as –

MR. GIBBS:  I’m happy to look at the transcript after this.

Steve.

The guy dodges questions like Neo dodges bullets. Well, whoever’s (whomever’s?) brilliant idea it was to break radio silence and actually engage Fox News, kudos to you. You never pick a fight with people who buy ink by the barrel.

As for what this parley is going to involve, I would encourage everyone to watch the interview. I think expectations are high that the President will (politely) be asked some tough questions that the other networks don’t have the cajones to ask.

It’s just too bad the interview is going to be on Special Report, instead of the Glenn Beck Program. The latter would be much more entertaining – and probably more informative. Special Report has really gone downhill, in terms of the quality of the host, since Brit Hume (who looks like an old hound dog) was replaced by Bret Baier who looks like Lee Evans.