Rational Review » PND News

RRND-FND Mid-Year Fundraising Drive

Thomas L. Knapp — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 14:57:57 +0000

Update, 12/04/08 – Thanks to subscribing contributor MA, whose monthly payment of $10 brings our running total to $3,755.37 against our goal of $5,000! - TLK

—–

Dear readers,

Earlier this year, I told you that RRND/FND would be moving to a “twice-a-year” fundraising schedule — and we’re keeping our word. We’ve even waited almost a month past mid-year to start our first 2008 drive. But now it’s time.

The goal is $5,000, and we’ll keep plugging until we reach it (even if that means extending into our year-end fundraiser, which we’d certainly prefer not to do!).

You can support “the freedom movement’s daily newspaper” (and our offshoot publications — 2nd Amendment News Digest, Liberty Action News Digest and Progressive News Digest) in any of several ways:

One-Time Payments Online

We accept credit cards and direct donations via PayPal(tm).

RRND/FND no longer accepts e-gold

Become a Subscribing Contributor!

[Note: All subscription payments received during the fundraiser will be credited toward its total]

RRND Daily Reader ($2.50/month)	RRND Subscriber ($5.00/month)
RRND Supporter ($10/month)	RRND Patron ($20/month)

Other Options

If you prefer to support RRND/FND through the International Society for Individual Liberty, to target your contribution to this project. Please drop me a line so that I can thank you and add your contribution to our total (ISIL doesn’t send us a daily report). If you’d like to send a check, money order, cash or other valuable thing via US Snail, again, write me so I can send you the address and instructions.

~~And Now For Something Completely Different~~

Would you like to see NO MORE RRND/FND fundraisers for nearly a year? So would we … so here’s a “side bet.”

Up-front disclaimer: This mid-year fundraiser WILL continue until the goal is met, even if that’s some time next year (hopefully it will be some time next month!).

But, we’re running a simultaneous “contingent pledge drive” through Fundable.Com to raise ANOTHER $5k … and if we make it, our next fundraiser won’t be until at least mid-2009.

It’s a simple concept: You pledge the amount of money you’re willing to contribute to that second $5k. If we raise $5k in pledges like yours, you pay. If we don’t, you don’t. That simple. Click here to make your pledge.

We didn’t make the Fundable.Com goal … but we’ll set a new project of this type up Real Soon Now.

Yours in liberty,
Tom Knapp
Publisher
Rational Review

MN: Franken claims 22-vote lead in recount

Steve Trinward — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 14:53:54 +0000

“Al Franken’s senate campaign says the Democratic candidate has pulled ahead of Republican incumbent Norm Coleman for the first time since the recount began. The campaign’s internal tally shows a Franken lead of 22 votes, campaign attorney Marc Elias told reporters on a conference call Wednesday. (Independent tallies by local newspapers still show Coleman holding the lead.) Elias also said Franken’s campaign would be withdrawing 600 challenges of ballots, conceding that the votes clearly were meant for Coleman. … Franken picked up 37 votes Tuesday night when elections officials discovered 171 ballots that had been uncounted.” (12/03/08)

IN: Gift certificates for an abortion?

Steve Trinward — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 04:42:52 +0000

“Indiana’s Planned Parenthood is offering a unique option this winter. $25-$100 gift certificates that can be used for anything at the clinics from contraception to abortions. The Chicago Tribune reports today on the effort which is available in 35 clinics throughout the state. The CEO of the state’s Planned Parenthood is quoted by the paper as saying the reception has been ‘pretty robust, and generally favorable’ and that the vast majority of those visiting Planned Parenthood are coming for basic health issues, not an abortion.” (12/03/08)

SCOTUS to hear sexual-bias claim

Steve Trinward — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 04:40:58 +0000

“A Massachusetts girl’s awful experience on a school bus is at the heart of a case argued in the Supreme Court on Tuesday over limits on lawsuits about sex discrimination in education. The 5-year-old kindergarten student in Hyannis, Mass., told her parents that in 2000 a third-grade boy repeatedly made her lift her dress, pull down her underwear and spread her legs. … The district refused to assign the boy to another bus or put a monitor on the bus, records show. Upset with the school district’s response, parents Lisa and Robert Fitzgerald sued the district in federal court under both Title IX, which bars sex discrimination at schools that receive federal money, and a provision of a Civil War era, anti-discrimination law that was designed to enforce the 14th Amendment’s equal-protection clause. … A decision is expected by late spring.” [editor’s note: This one bears watching - SAT] (12/03/08)

Clinton’s confirmation may spark Constitutional battle

Steve Trinward — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 04:30:33 +0000

“The biggest obstacle facing Hillary Clinton’s Senate confirmation as President-elect Barack Obama’s top diplomat may not be her husband’s wheeling and dealing abroad for his foundation, as many suspected. Instead, it could be the U.S. Constitution. According to an emolument clause in the Constitution, no lawmaker can be appointed to any civil position that was created or received a wage increase during the lawmaker’s time in office. President Bush ordered Cabinet salaries raised to $191,300 from $186,600 by executive order early this year, while Clinton was senator.” (12/03/08)

UK: Civil liberties in spotlight after Parliament raid

Steve Trinward — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 04:24:59 +0000

“In the 2-1/2 years since 52 London commuters were killed by suicide bombers, Britons have become accustomed to news of police swoops on the homes of suspected terrorists. But a counterterrorist unit’s series of raids last week sparked shock and anger because of the unlikely target — a Conservative member of Parliament. Officers didn’t just search the home of Damian Green — they arrested him, raided his office, and detained him for nine hours as part of an investigation into the leaking of government documents. The raids have led to an outcry among lawmakers, the press, civil liberties groups, callers to phone-in shows, and writers to letter columns who have long accused the government of eroding civil liberties in the fight against terrorism. Many are calling for protection from a ‘police state.’” (12/04/08)

MA: Liquor licenses a specialty for firm

Steve Trinward — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 04:21:13 +0000

“When the Legislature granted 20 new, highly coveted liquor licenses to Boston in late 2006 to meet pent-up demand, the city’s Licensing Board did not hesitate to dole them out. In less than three months, it awarded licenses to five bars in South Boston and five more in the South End, two in the North End, two in Chinatown, and a handful of others from Roxbury to Beacon Hill. But … one element remained remarkably constant: the same set of politically connected lawyers. The majority of the license recipients hired the same firm, McDermott, Quilty & Miller. The firm’s clients won 13 of the 20 new licenses, or 65 percent.” [editor’s note: Just as with “taxi-medallions” … the State created a business-niche for legal weasels, one that would not even exist in a free society! - SAT] (12/03/08)

MN: Franken trailing by 50 votes in recount

Steve Trinward — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 14:09:25 +0000

“Democratic Senate candidate Al Franken’s campaign says he trails Republican incumbent Norm Coleman by just 50 votes as the recount of ballots in Minnesota nears its conclusion. Marc Elias, the Franken campaign’s lead attorney, told reporters the margin was based on tallies from observers in recount locations. Elias also said he’s optimistic at the prospects to have some of the more than 9,000 rejected absentee ballots re-added to the count as elections officials begin sorting through the ballots based on the reason they were rejected. Whatever happens, Elias vowed to fight on ‘until every vote has been fairly and accurately counted,’ even if that means asking the US Senate to intervene. Of the rejected absentee ballots, Elias estimate as many as 1,000 represent legitimate votes that should be counted.” (12/02/08)

China: Huge marijuana stash found in ancient tomb

Steve Trinward — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 06:12:45 +0000

“Duuuuuude! The world’s oldest stash of marijuana has been found in far western China, according to an article in the Journal of Experimental Botany. An ancient Caucasian people, probably the Indo-European-speaking Yuezhi whose fair-haired mummies keep turning up in Xinjiang province, seem to have buried one of their shamans with a whopping 789 grams of high-potency pot 2,700 years ago. That’s about 28 ounces of killer green bud, worth perhaps $8,000 at today’s street prices, and enough to keep even Harold and Kumar happy for a couple of days.” (12/02/08)

Obama’s team of stars: Can he manage it?

Steve Trinward — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 06:11:44 +0000

“President-elect Barack Obama has earned accolades from Democrats and Republicans alike for the high-powered national security and economic teams he has unveiled. As a young and relatively inexperienced chief executive, Mr. Obama has assembled a group of advisers known more for their sterling credentials than for their loyalty to him. That alone speaks to a certain confidence on Obama’s part, a self-possession that was on regular display during the long presidential campaign. The selection of this team also shows a willingness to take risks, particularly his choice for secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton, his bitter rival for the Democratic nomination. And it speaks to the grave nature of the times, with the US fighting two wars and mired in what economists predict will be a long, deep recession. In less than two months, the hard business of governing begins. The question then becomes: Can Obama manage this team of A-listers, many of whom have outsized personalities and tend to see themselves as leaders in their own right rather than followers?” (12/02/08)

Big Business transfers loyalty, $$ to Dems

Steve Trinward — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 06:09:05 +0000

“The crush of economic developments surrounding Barack Obama last week — from the promise of a large government stimulus package, to the possibility of a bailout for automakers, to the creation of a new presidential advisory panel of economists — may or may not turn the economy around. And with a credit crisis of vast proportions, the economy may be bad enough that it will be hard to judge the impact of all the government activity. But the Obama administration’s promise of swift government action to protect companies and workers is likely to achieve one result that has been unthinkable for 75 years: It will make the Democrats the party of Big Business.” [editor’s note: What’s hilarious is that this writer considers this a “change!” Big business has ALWAYS backed the incumbent party, despite appearances - SAT] (12/02/08)

GM: We need $12 billion to survive

Steve Trinward — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 06:06:04 +0000

“Humbled and fighting for survival, Detroit’s once-mighty automakers appealed to Congress with a retooled case for a huge bailout Tuesday, pledging to slash workers, car lines and executive pay in return for a federal lifeline. GM said it wouldn’t last till New Year’s without an immediate $4 billion and could drag the entire industry down if it fails. General Motors Corp., asking for as much as $18 billion to keep afloat and survive even worse economic storms, painted the direst portrait to date of what could happen if Congress doesn’t quickly step in.” (12/02/08)

TX: 30-mile pile of debris attests to FEMA delays

Steve Trinward — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 06:02:30 +0000

“A 30-mile scar of debris along the Texas coast stands as a festering testament to what state and local officials say is FEMA’s sluggish response to the 2008 hurricane season. Two and a half months after Hurricane Ike blasted the shoreline, alligators and snakes crawl over vast piles of shattered building materials, lawn furniture, trees, boats, tanks of butane and other hazardous substances, thousands of animal carcasses, perhaps even the corpses of people killed by the storm. State and local officials complain that the removal of the filth has gone almost nowhere because FEMA red tape has held up both the cleanup work and the release of the millions of dollars that Chambers County says it needs to pay for the project. Elsewhere along the coast, similar complaints are heard: The Federal Emergency Management Agency has been slow to reimburse local governments for what they have already spent, putting rural counties on the brink of financial collapse.” (12/02/08)

TN: AMEX sues Nashville restaurateur

Steve Trinward — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 06:01:24 +0000

“American Express has filed a complaint in U.S. District Court in Nashville accusing the owner of three Nashville restaurants of failing to pay $1.15 million in fraudulent credit card charges. The suit claims that Michael D. Tangredi and his 18-year-old son, Michael G. Tangredi, obtained fraudulent American Express accounts, through which 15 separate payments were charged to M. Tangredi Restaurants Inc., and an unincorporated entity called Minc Concepts for amounts ranging from $28,750 to $98,750. The complaint said the money was taken in cash and the fraudulent accounts were never paid. … The suit accuses the Tangredis of opening one of several fraudulent American Express charge card accounts in the name of employee Laura Lightfoot. The employee was ‘duped by the Tangredis into having her name and credit information used so that a credit card could be issued to perpetrate their fraud,’ according to the suit.” (12/02/08)

Impeachment spot to run in California

Steve Trinward — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 06:48:22 +0000

“The National Impeachment Network is planning to run an advertisement on California television during the months of December and January 2009 which advocates for the impeachment of President George W. Bush. Headed by Ralph Lopez, diarist at the left-leaning Daily Kos, the National Impeachment Network is supported by grassroots groups such as Code Pink, Veterans for Peace and Republicans for Impeachment.” (12/01/08)

Survey says: More kids admit cheating

Steve Trinward — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 06:47:11 +0000

“In the past year, 30 percent of U.S. high-school students have stolen from a store, and 64 percent have cheated on a test, according to a new large survey. Educators reacting to results questioned any suggestion that today’s young people are less honest, but they noted intensified pressures prompt many to cut corners. … Josephson Institute, an LA-based ethics group, surveyed 29,760 students at 100 randomly selected high schools nationwide, both public and private. All in the selected schools were given the survey in class, anonymity assured. The survey indicated that 35 percent of boys and 26 percent of girls acknowledged stealing from a store in the past year (30 percent overall). One-fifth said they stole something from a friend; 23 percent said they stole something from a parent or relative.” (12/01/08)

Panel predicts nuke terror attack by 2013

Steve Trinward — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 06:46:02 +0000

“The United States can expect a terrorist attack using nuclear or more likely biological weapons before 2013, reports a bipartisan commission in a study being briefed Tuesday to Vice President-elect Joe Biden. It suggests the Obama administration bolster efforts to counter and prepare for germ warfare by terrorists. ‘Our margin of safety is shrinking, not growing,’ states the report, obtained by The Associated Press. It is scheduled to be publicly released Wednesday.” (12/01/08)

Report: Democrats may tax health benefits

Steve Trinward — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 06:44:11 +0000

“In the last month of the presidential campaign, it was one of Barack Obama and Joe Biden’s strongest attack lines: John McCain, they warned, would ‘tax your healthcare benefits for the first time ever.’ But now, some Congressional Democrats in charge of health reform are talking about doing just that. They would not go as far as McCain, who wanted to end the tax exclusion entirely for employer-sponsored insurance, which excludes money spent by employees and their employers on health benefits from income and payroll taxes. But some key Democrats are talking about limiting the benefit for workers, so that those with higher incomes or more generous health benefits might pay taxes on some portion of the income they use to pay for their health premiums.” [editor’s note: Not sure which is more deceitful, (a) mischaracterizing McCain’s one semi-smart idea as “taxing people’s healthcare benefits;” or (b) claiming the Dems’ similar plans are somehow less intrusive! - SAT] (12/01/08)

Financial crisis may worsen food crunch it eclipsed

Steve Trinward — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 06:40:57 +0000

“Call it crisis eclipse. The global food crisis that dominated headlines earlier this year has been overshadowed by this fall’s financial crisis, but it continues to exact a crippling toll on the world’s poor. And, although commodity prices for a wide range of crops have fallen by as much as 50 percent from record highs in June, the financial crisis is expected to make it dramatically worse: credit for farmers could dry up, meaning less money to buy fertilizer and seed, leading in turn to greater global shortages of food. Money for food aid could dry up as well. In June, governments and donors pledged $12.3 billion for the food crisis. So far, only $1 billion has actually been disbursed, as lending institutions and governments instead scramble to save ailing banks.” (12/02/08)

Schwarzenegger: California going broke, “fiscal emergency”

Steve Trinward — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 06:38:25 +0000

“Facing a deep budget deficit, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on Monday declared a ‘fiscal emergency’ in California and called a special session of the state legislature to deal with the crisis. ‘Without immediate action our state is headed for a fiscal disaster,’ said Schwarzenegger in a statement. California, with a population of 38 million, would be the world’s sixth largest economy if it were an independent country. ‘We must act now to address the current year revenue shortfall of 11.2 billion dollars and we must implement an economic stimulus package to help retain and create jobs, keep Californians in their homes and fix the state’s Unemployment Insurance Fund,’ Schwarzenegger said at a Los Angeles press conference.” (12/01/08)