4-H Projects

Wow, it's been a long time since I posted anything; over a month now! Isn't just amazing how quickly the sands of time pass by without any thought from us what so ever?

Today Morgan and I put the finishing touches on her 4-H project, photography. Yeah I know, this isn't a big surprise, but hey we both like to do it. While that was going on Keri ran to Kokomo to save me from my own shortsightedness. In other words she went for the things I need to complete MY photography project. Morgan's is due tomorrow morning, mine on Friday.

As you can tell, we don't believe in waiting until the last minute for this stuff! Anyway, it IS our first year, so there is something of a learning curve. I was still talking to people about entering into the 4-H and I was still deciding on which picture I was going to enter yet today.

We're excited about it. Morgan's B&W entry is awesome, I'm sure she'll do well with it. The color entry is good, but I think her B&W is the real prize. Both of her entries are compilations of 10 photographs each. The B&W theme is "Capturing Memories" while the color theme is "Experiences in Color."

I'm entering 4 pictures,myself. 2 are 8X10 and 2 are 4X6. I had them narrowed down to 4 8X10 and 10 4X6, but I finally decided my 8X10 choices today. Interestingly both shots were taken at the Indianapolis Museum of Art in April. One is a shot of 2 tulips from just below the flower and the other is of the back, uh, porch of the Lilly Mansion. For my 4X6 entries I think it'll be a shot of Sue, the T-Rex at the Indiana Children's Museum, and a close up of a toad I found on Mother's day.

We're excited to be a part of this project. Regardless of how we place, I've really enjoyed learning more about photography and helping Morgan do the same

Spwing Weather

There's something to be said about the warm weather. For some reason just having the outside temperatures in the 70's plus makes me feel good all over; I'm happier, more active, and my will power (to exercise, avoid bad foods, etc.) seems to be stronger.

Although this morning is comparatively chilly to yesterday, I won't lose heart, because I know I only have a day or two to go before the niceness comes back.

Thank you God for this beautiful spring time!

'Hate crimes' bill is full of swill

I ran across this article by Matt Barber about the Hate Crimes Act, bill s.909. It is very well said and is worth the read.

'Hate crimes' bill is full of swill
Matt Barber - 5/7/2009 10:15:00 AM

Senate sponsors and liberal activist proponents of the federal "hate crimes" bill, S. 909, have been caught in a series of bald-faced lies. So confident am I of this, that if they can prove me wrong (for real I mean – you know, with evidence and such) I'll join their little soirée, don a very large pink evening gown and publicly voice support for the legislation.

To the express exclusion of other identifiable groups – including veterans, the elderly and the homeless – S. 909, in its current form, would grant special federal resources and preferred minority status to pedophiles, homosexuals, cross-dressers and – as Democratic sponsor Alcee Hastings recently admitted on the House floor – a host of other APA recognized "sexual orientations" (i.e., deviant sexual fetishes and perversions).

Not only is this legislation constitutionally dubious on First Amendment grounds, and a prima facie violation of Fourteenth Amendment required "equal protection of the laws;" it also flies in the face of the Tenth Amendment, which explicitly limits the federal government's authority in such matters to those powers delegated by the U.S. Constitution.

Here's how they're doing it:

In order for the feds to usurp the States' police power, liberals in Congress have had to openly place, within the very language of the bill, a series of transparent lies. To get around that pesky old Constitution and accomplish this brash federal power grab, they've been forced to misuse and abuse the Commerce Clause.

In a feeble attempt to constitutionally justify federal interference with local law enforcement, S. 909's sponsors have made – within the bill's "Findings" section – several outlandish and unsustainable claims relative to "interstate commerce." So outlandish are these claims, in fact, that the same language was intentionally withdrawn from the House version before it was passed and referred to the Senate.

But since the bill's Senate sponsors recognize that failure to include these fantasy "findings" immediately renders the legislation unconstitutional, the interstate commerce language has quickly and quietly found its way home.

First, while addressing "hate crimes" allegedly motivated by so-called "sexual orientation" bias, the bill asserts that existing law is "inadequate to address this problem." This is patently untrue.

When the legislation's 1968 "hate crimes" forerunner was introduced, there were multiple and verifiable cases of local prosecutors refusing to indict whites for violent crimes committed against blacks. Moreover, the 1968 law was actually conceived and passed with the primary purpose of righting this specific wrong.

The exact opposite is true today. As FBI statistics reveal, in the relatively few instances where bias motivated crimes are committed against homosexuals or cross-dressers, those crimes are, without fail, zealously prosecuted under existing law. Victims are granted "equal protection of the laws" regardless of sexual preference or proclivity.

Yet these same victims are, nonetheless, shamelessly and publicly exploited by homosexual activists and the mainstream media as the latest "hate crimes" cause célèbre. This, even as hypersensitive local prosecutors bend over backwards to take-down alleged "gay-bashing" assailants as to avoid kneejerk accusations of systemic "homophobia."

To illustrate the point, one need look only to the most famous supposed "hate crimes" victim of all, Matthew Shepard, who, as it later turned out, was killed during a robbery for drug money gone awry.

This fact notwithstanding, the left continues to disgracefully politicize Shepard's memory by claiming he was murdered simply for being "gay." Indeed, this very legislation, S. 909, is cited as the "Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act."

The bizarre irony is palpable. The two thugs who killed Shepard are currently serving life sentences for their crimes – and rightfully so – in the complete absence of any discriminatory and unnecessary "hate crimes" legislation. Justice prevailed and existing law was undeniably "[adequate] to address this problem."

In fact, I challenge proponents of S. 909 to provide one verifiable example of a prosecutor refusing to charge a violent criminal because the victim was a homosexual or a cross-dresser.

They won't. They can't.

But back to the interstate commerce charade:

Here, the federal government's own statistics serve to derail the "hate crimes" gravy train. According to the FBI, in 2007 – out of 1.4 million violent crimes in the U.S. – there were a mere 247 cases of aggravated assault (including five deaths) allegedly motivated by the victim's "sexual orientation."

Yet S. 909 makes the fantastic claim that there is an epidemic of such "hate crimes." So many, in fact, that it "poses a serious national problem." The bill hysterically declares – while providing zero evidence – the following nonsense:

• Such violence substantially affects interstate commerce in many ways;
• [T]he movement of members of targeted groups (homosexuals, pedophiles, cross-dressers, etc.) is impeded, and members of such groups are forced to move across State lines to escape the incidence or risk of such violence;
• Members of targeted groups are prevented from purchasing goods and services, obtaining or sustaining employment, or participating in other commercial activity;

And, here's the kicker. Wait for it ....Wait for it:

• Perpetrators cross State lines to commit such violence.

So there you have it, folks. If it weren't so serious, it'd be comical. But let's make sure we have it straight. According to Barney Frank, Ted Kennedy, Barack Obama and their S. 909 cheerleading cohorts, we must pass S. 909 immediately because right here, right now in America, it's not at all unusual to witness terrified hordes of fabulously dressed – yet wrongfully unemployed – "gays" and otherwise gender-confused blokes in lipstick and Jimmy Choo pumps, frantically fleeing Dolce & Gabbana before they've even had a chance to make a purchase, while inbred, homophobic, bat-wielding rednecks hotly pursue them across state lines.

Don't think I'll be wearing that pink evening gown any time soon.

Libertarian Party of Indiana State Convention

This is to remind you of the Libertarian Party of Indiana state convention. It will be held May 15-17 in Clarksville, Indiana. The convention is a must-attend event each year in our party. Libertarians from across the State meet to mingle and swap ideas with each other, attend informative breakout sessions, and listen to interesting speakers. The keynote speaker at the Saturday Night dinner will be Radley Balko from Reason Magazine. He has also worked at the Cato Institute. He is an Indiana native, and graduated from Indiana University. He will be speaking on issues ranging from property rights to the Liberty movement. Also speaking will be Wayne Allyn Root. Root was the 2008 Vice Presidential nominee, and is working to win the 2012 Presidential nomination. He is also rumored to be seeking the LNC Chairmanship. There will also be presentations on school choice, candidate training, and reaching out to the media. You can find out more on the speakers, and register, here: http://www.lpin.org/node/632

The LPIN will also hold it's annual business meeting. This year, we will elect new officers, including a new state chair. Todd Singer has decided not to run again, which means there will be a race for chair! We will also set the course for the 2010 elections. As you know, the Secretary of State's race is in 2010. The LP will maintain automatic ballot access by winning at least 2% of the vote in that race.

There is a cost for both registration and hotel rooms. You can find out more about this at the convention website: http://www.lpin.org/node/632. The registration goes towards your meal costs, speakers, and convention space. You can register the day of the convention if necessary, but please RSVP with Executive Director Chris Spangle to ensure that you have a meal!

Here are the basics:

Time: May 15, 2009 at 5pm to May 17, 2009 at 10am
Location: Lakeview Holiday Inn, Clarksville, IN
Street: 505 MARRIOTT DRIVE
City/Town: CLARKSVILLE, IN 47129
Website or Map: http://www.lpin.org/node/632 and http://freehoosiers.ning.com/events/lpin-state-convention

Tenative Agenda for 2009 Convention

Friday, May 15th

4:00 PM - Hospitality Suite Opens in Hospitality Suite

Saturday, May 16th

8:00 AM - Registration Opens
9:00 AM - Convention Opens
9:00 - 11 AM - Seminars and Break out sessions, including:
- Reaching out to the Media and Voters with Eric Schansberg
- Running For Office with Rex Bell and Ken Moellman
- School Choice, presented by LPIN Secretary Melanie Hughes
12:00 PM - Lunch with Daniel Williams
1:00 PM - LPIN Business Meeting and Election of LPIN Officers (Voting for LP and LPIN Members only)
4:00 PM - other events/sessions TBA, Central Committee Meeting
6:00 PM - Dinner with Speakers
- Wayne Allyn Root, 2012 LP Presidential Hopeful
- Radley Balko, Senior Editor, Reason Magazine

Sunday, May 17th

9:00 AM - Breakfast with Speaker Ed Coleman, Indianapolis City Council
10:30 AM - Convention Close

**All Events subject to change
Registration Fees:

Platinum Level -- $125.00. Includes Saturday lunch, dinner and Sunday breakfast. (Student: $105.00)
Gold Level -- $115.00. Includes Saturday lunch and dinner. (Student: $95.00)
Silver Level -- $105.00. Includes Saturday dinner only. (Student: $85.00)
Bronze Level -- $95.00. Includes Saturday lunch only. (Student: $75.00)
Copper Level -- $85.00. Includes Saturday daytime speakers and workshops, no meals. (Student: $65.00)

Please register individually. To guarantee your status as a delegate to the convention, including voting rights, you must be a member of the LPIN in good standing. If you prefer to register by check, contact Chris Spangle at 317-920-1994 or by email at cspangle@lpin.org.

Hotel costs not included in the package. Attendees staying overnight, should make a reservation directly with the Holiday Inn, Clarksville. Mention the LPIN/LPKY convention to receive the discounted package rate of $73.00/night. Rates are guaranteed through April 17, 2009.

Why the Hate Crimes Act is Bad for EVERYONE

The so-called hate crimes bill seems to be rearing its ugly head once again. This is a very dangerous piece of legislation that too many people just aren’t taking seriously enough. This is the bill that if passed, among other things, will make it illegal for a pastor or anyone else to say in a public setting that homosexuality is wrong and is a sin. Remember that the Bible says that homosexual behavior is a sin against God, and Christians and Jews believe this. Most other religions feel the same way.

The fact is it won’t matter if you’re a homosexual or straight, it won’t matter if you’re a Christian, Jew, Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu, Wiccan, atheist, or whatever. This bill will inarguably affect every man woman and child in the United States. “How is this so,” you ask? Read on my friend.

Consider the First Amendment to the Constitution of The United States of America, ratified on December 15, 1791. It says, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

Note that “Congress shall make no law… prohibiting the free exercise (of religion)… or abridging the freedom of speech.

Also look at the Eighth Amendment, also ratified on December 15, 1791. It states, “Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.”

Anyone in their right mind would agree that it would be “cruel and unusual” to lock someone in jail for saying homosexuality is wrong when everyone knows that same-sex rapes are common there. Not to mention that such imprisonment would clearly be in violation of the First Amendment in more than one way.

But this isn’t just about whether or not my pastor can speak openly against homosexuality. That is what they want you to think. As a magician distracts you by getting you to look to his right hand, he does something subtle with his left.

While Americans focus on the homosexual issue in this bill, the real truth is being missed completely. This bill is a direct assault on our Constitutional rights!

The First Amendment grants freedom of speech, not freedom of speech as long as it is politically correct. The First Amendment grants freedom of religion without government regulation and interference, not freedom of religion as long as the lobbyists from this group or that agree with it.

Note that I said the First Amendment grants, not guarantees these freedoms. There are no guarantees in life and if we sit idly by our rights, which are already being diminished at an alarming rate, are going to be stripped from us so fast we won’t know what hit us.

Stand up, speak out, and be heard! Pass this message along to anyone who will listen. Pass on to your elected officials that you strongly oppose this bill and the tyranny, yes tyranny, which it represents. The hate crimes act is a reprehensible assault on our Constitutional rights and we must not let it come to pass!

Star Wars Day

Tomorrow is Star Wars Day. Actually it is the first of two such days that occur each year in the month of May. If you don’t know what that is, then allow me to explain. There are two different days; one represents an anniversary while the other is more like Pi Day or Square Root Day; just something fun based on the date itself.

The first, in order of occurrence, is tomorrow, May fourth. This is the fun day based on the date. In Star Wars there is a saying, “May the Force be with you.” Now consider the date in question and try a play on words. “May the fourth be with you.” Get it? Like I said, it’s just for fun. Many Star Wars fans however, do recognize it as a special day.

The second Star Wars Day is May twenty-fifth, of course; the day the original Star Wars movie, later renamed Episode IV A New Hope, opened in theatres. This is the day that any Star Wars fan will recognize as a special day.

Some businesses are even offering special discounts on Star Wars merchandise to celebrate May fourth. Jinx.com is offering half off their Star Wars t-shirts if you order them on the fourth.

As you go about your day this fourth of May, smile and greet people as you might usually, but when you part company remember to offer them this good tiding, “May the fourth be with you.”

Miami County Libertarian Party Organizational Caucus

There will be an organizational caucus held on Tuesday June 2 at 7:00pm. This meeting will be in the Peru Public Library’s basement meeting room. Use the front (Main Street) entrance and take the stairs on your left down; at the bottom of the stairs turn right and the meeting room will be on your left.

Topics during this meeting will include the adaptation of by-laws, election of officers, recruitment, and the party’s website.

In order to speak or vote at this meeting, you will need to be a resident of Miami County, Indiana and a member of the national or state Libertarian party. Proof of residency and membership will be required. For those who wish to become members of the Libertarian party you may visit the national website at https://www.lp.org/membership or contact lpinhq@lpin.org at the state level.

For more information, including a copy of the by-laws that will be presented, please visit our website www.MiamiCountyLibertarians.org or send an email to us at info@MiamiCountyLibertarians.org or phone Jason at 473-7203.