Friday, April 30, 2010

Public Sector Unions in Greece Write the Epitaph of the European Union

When did it become acceptable to put your children and grandchildren into hock? I think it was about the time public sector unions came into vogue, thanks to the Democrat Party.

Travel east to Greece and witness the beginning of the end -- not due to the free market, but due solely to union-organized socialism.

Papandreou says Greek survival at stake


George Papandreou, Greek prime minister, told parliament on Friday that adoption of a rigorous three-year austerity programme being drawn up by the European Union and International Monetary Fund was “necessary . . . for the country’s survival.”

Mr Papandreou was defending his socialist government’s decision to seek a multibillion-euro rescue package from its eurozone partners and the IMF against strong opposition from leftwing parties and trade unions.

“What matters most is the survival of the nation – that is a red line (that cannot be crossed),” he said.

Despite the dire circumstances, Greece's version of the SEIU isn't playing ball. On Wednesday, a general strike is planned, which will shut down all flights into and out of Athens International Airport.

There are some knowledgeable observers who think that Greece is the tripwire ready to bring the whole house of cards down.

There is a notable breakout in the financials index — which represents the cost of insuring the senior debt of 25 European financial companies against default — at the beginning of April. From the chart we can tell it’s the first such break since at least January 2008.

Financials were only stabilised thanks to the massive intervention of sovereign states. They took much of the ‘insolvency’ out of the financial system by transferring the bad loans of banks directly onto their own state balance sheets — sometimes directly, sometimes through guarantees.

But now that sovereigns are under pressure, due to their own deteriorating budgets, those financial guarantees might be standing on shaky ground.

...whereas the US banks will only have to recognise 20% of the write-downs anymore this year, the additional need for write-downs among Eurozone banks is higher...

According to the IMF, banks are facing refinancing needs of USD 5,000bn [five trillion dollars] in the next three years.

The bank debt rollover challenge is a major obstacle to prosperity, which even neo-Statist Paul Krugman grudgingly admits.

[A]ny move to leave the euro would require time and preparation, and during the transition period there would be devastating bank runs. So the idea of a euro breakup was a non-starter.

...[B]ut what if the bank runs and financial crisis happen anyway? In that case the marginal cost of leaving falls dramatically, and in fact the decision may effectively be taken out of policymakers’ hands.

...Think of it this way: the Greek government cannot announce a policy of leaving the euro — and I’m sure it has no intention of doing that. But at this point it’s all too easy to imagine a default on debt, triggering a crisis of confidence, which forces the government to impose a banking holiday — and at that point the logic of hanging on to the common currency come hell or high water becomes a lot less compelling.

And if Greece is in effect forced out of the euro, what happens to other shaky members?

What indeed.

The tenuous ties of currency, investments and politics will be tested in the weeks to come like never before.


Free Speech: a Photo Essay

Condoleeza Rice: physically threatened, then attacked to prevent free speech.

Ann Coulter: physically threatened, then attacked to prevent free speech.

Sarah Palin: threatened with attack to prevent free speech.

David Horowitz: physically threatened, then attacked to prevent free speech.

Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren...

...physically threatened...

...then attacked, to prevent free speech.

Bill Kristol: physically threatened, then attacked to prevent free speech.

Dick Cheney: physically threatened, then attacked to prevent free speech.

Karl Rove: physically threatened, then attacked to prevent free speech.

Free speech. Constitutionally protected. Legally permissible. Desirable in a free society.

But intolerable to Democrats and Islamic extremists.


'Is It Time to Re-institute Slavery?'

By Kelcy Allen

In the midst of the recent haranguing cries by liberals of 'racism' each time a conservative disagrees with one of President Obama’s policies, I'm hearing backroom rumblings that a small, entrenched political cabal may actually be discussing the re-institution of slavery. One wonders, is this insanity, or has the country destabilized to the point where this could actually be possible?

When you consider the hard-fought moral and spiritual battles Americans have waged to secure freedom and you measure the sacrificial carnage strewn along the way, we must be predisposed to disbelief. But we Americans take freedom for granted. Our newest generations have grown up in a society basically free from onerous human constraints and have no first-hand knowledge of repression or bondage. But saying what you want, dressing any way you desire, going anyplace you please, pursuing any job or interest, or worshiping any God, has never been accepted anywhere on Earth as a societal norm until recent times.

If we follow the thread of history backwards we find people have never really been free. A leisurely camp-out wasn’t advisable in the time of Genghis Khan. Wearing a thong during The Middle Ages was more than a little dicey. Demonstrating for non-violence in the era of Aztecan human sacrifice could jeopardize your health. And, selling assorted religious idols in downtown 10th-century Mecca wasn't a recipe for longevity.

So, why would any group in the first decade of the 21st century advocate for the abrogation of established liberties or for the segregation of powerfully entrenched segments of society? How could the subjugation of multitudes into a slave-and-master relationship be possible in today’s world? What unspeakable criteria would have to be present for it to occur?

Is the reinstatement of slavery plausible? The answer is unequivocally, yes! That is, because the backroom murmurs aren’t about 19th century black-American plantation slavery, they concern 'political' slavery and, in particular, Marxism. Marxism has been the most toxic, horrific and deadly slavery on the face of the planet. Under the banner of Marxism in the 1900’s, Chinese leader Mao Tse-tung and Russian leader Josef Stalin killed tens of millions of people collectively, dwarfing the number of exterminations by Hitler.

Marxism is socialism on steroids. Socialism exists when government controls the so-called equal redistribution of money or goods and services across society. Marxism exists when a centralized authoritarian government, fueled by class envy and fulfilled by force, determines who, what, when, how, and why anyone gets that money or goods and services. Marxism is the mortal enemy of free-market capitalism, of freedom of individual thought and of... Liberty.

At least seven conditions would be necessary for Marxist political slavery to prevail in America today:

1. Dismantle our capitalist system and replace it with socialism
2. Enlarge and centralize government for 'nationalization'
3. Create class envy
4. Develop a dependency culture
5. Eradicate the family
6. (Strictly) Enforce government policies
7. Depend on a complacent populace

Prior to the 2008 presidential election, many Americans were warning that candidate Obama had a socialist ideology, a history of socialist ties, and a socialist voting record. They were chastised and denigrated for their opinions. However, within the magical 100-day presidential window, in February 2009, the cover of Newsweek excitedly proclaimed, 'We are all socialists now!' Obama‘s particular disinterest in job creation bespeaks his insouciant view of capitalism and is one reason why the only 'shovel-ready job' we’ve seen is his attempted burial of free enterprise.

Obama is an admitted social progressive. Ideological cousins, Marxists and Progressives want larger government, greater involvement, increased oversight, tighter control, suppressed religion, and both will use force to accomplish their goal. The name Saul Alinsky should finally take on heightened importance. Obama studied and revered this mid-century fellow Chicago community organizer who was arguably America’s most destructive Marxist. Alinsky wrote a book, a political bible of sorts, for young violent radical Marxist protesters who wanted to overthrow free enterprise. Those protesters have grown up, and many have retained their radical views and have joined the Obama administration as advisers or 'Czars'.

In progressive-speak, Obama’s 'Transformation of America' means the nationalization of America. This translates to takeovers (not bailouts) of the banks, the auto industry, insurance companies, health-care, student loans, and higher education. What's next? Oil companies, communications, the airlines... perhaps even Hooters and espresso stands, the latter to regulate caffeine intake along with salt.

Do you wonder why Obama has been called the Great Divider and America is so politically polarized? Without fail, each time he gives a speech he pits one segment of society against the other: Main Street against Wall Street, haves against have-nots, Grandma against the chiropractor, and fat-cats against anyone who breathes. Whatever happened to 'United We Stand?'

Now his blatant, divisive rhetoric pitting the health industry, banks, and ‘special interests’ against ‘whomever is listening’ -- as well as his tacit separation of young-people, African-Americans, Latinos and women from white Americans -- is not only beneath the dignity of the President, it engenders animosity and creates hostility. Thank Alinsky-the-Marxist for this polished technique: divided we fall.

Social assistance and a dependency culture eventually destroy self-sufficiency, a sense of responsibility, and personal dignity —- a Marxist must. Don’t tell me Obama doesn’t understand Marxism 101. He absorbed this propaganda, by choice, at uber-liberal Occidental College and later at Columbia University. He understands these concepts better than he understands a jump shot. It's unfortunate that the general public doesn't -- yet.

Marxism thrives only at the expense of traditional values. Very little of Obama’s stimulus money went to manufacturing, construction, the trades, or small private businesses, and it has negatively impacted the family. Most of the money went to the service industries and there’s a reason. In 1969, two young Marxist bombers formed a violent radical group called the Weathermen. They declared war on the United States and bombed upwards of 25 buildings, police facilities, and government installations. You know one of the two radicals as Bill Ayers, 'the unrepentant bomber'.

The other one helped write Obama’s Stimulus Bill! If you wonder why rabid Marxist Jeffrey Jones, Director of the New York Chapter of the Apollo Alliance, was permitted to help craft legislation intended to directly influence capitalism and our economy, you’ll have to ask Obama. It certainly looks intentional. And, considering the Midwest Academy trained SEIU President Andy Stern, who is head of the 'service industries' largest union (and Obama’s most frequent White House guest), you can understand why the bulk of the $787 billion stimulus money went Stern's direction and not to job creation.

Obama was a virtual unknown prior to his presidency, but his year in office has been all the time needed to research, scrutinize, and expose his opprobrious political past. Hundreds of pages (The Obama Files 1-101) which accurately document scores of his radical affiliations with socialists, Communists, and Marxists, place Obama’s words and deeds in his first fourteen months in office into an extremely troubling context.

Further, Obama’s seemingly benign hiring of 16,500 new IRS Healthcare agents offers an ominous portent considering his remarks during a 2008 campaign speech regarding a powerful civilian security force. When these IRS enforcers visit your home to insure you’ve flossed or avoided trans-fats, or to interrogate you because you haven’t paid the fine for the insurance you can’t afford because Obama gave the stimulus money to the service industries, will they be wearing uniforms and carrying side arms?

It’s obvious the small cabal of which I speak is Obama, Emanuel, Axelrod, Pelosi, Reid, et.al. Since they have shown an arrogant disdain for the desires of the electorate by putting our future —- our freedom —- in peril, it would be wise to err on the side of caution and not simply dismiss the worst-case scenario agenda. The sleeping giant of Liberty must awaken soon. It would be naïve and irresponsible to assume that this administration's intentions are benign.

Is it time to re-institute slavery? In November, we must mobilize and vote to ensure that any form of slavery -- economic or otherwise -- is destined for the dustbin of history.


Kelcy Allen is a freelance writer. He resides in the Pacific Northwest.

Larwyn's Linx: 'I Think You've Made Enough Money'

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Nation

'I Think You've Made Enough Money': Villainous
Obama's Politicized Justice Department: AT
Is Obama fomenting a race war?: Times

Crashers, Palinphobes & Communists at Boston's Tea Party: LATL
Illegal Immigrants Really Are Abused — In Mexico: RWN
How Obama could lose Arizona immigration battle: York

Economy

Fun with Numbers: GM ‘Payback’ of Taxpayer Loans: Blumer
5 Terrifying Parallels Between Now And Great Depression: McArdle
Treat the Cause: Welfare State Is Draw for Illegals: PJM

Obama's Union Thugs to Tie Up Lower Manhattan : JWF
Seven States Contemplate Anti-Illegal Immigrant Legislation: LB1901
University Students Stage Protests Against Arizona Bill: SIGIS

Climate & Energy

Obama to send swat teams to inspect oil rigs and platforms: Brutally
Clean Air Causes Global Warming: RWN
Cancer to increase because of 'green tech'?: BlogProf

Media

The Death of Everyman: Villainous
Violent Leftists Raid NYC Bank... Media Silent: GWP
Transforming America, One B*#%h at a Time: MOTUS

Obama Helped Kill Immigration Reform In 2007 - Will Media Remember?: NewsBusters
When will they take us seriously?: AT
Democrat Opposition to Phoenix Law: R&R

Righteous Liberal Hypocrisy: Dewey
Diminutive Jocksniffer Wants MLB to Blackmail Arizona : JWF
I’m Arlen Specter and I Approve This Message: iOTW

World

Enough Already — Just Move the UN to Iran: Rosett
Barack Obama’s Top Ten Insults Against Israel: Telegraph (UK)
Spain's troubles mount: Mish

The U.N. Is A Drag On The Body Politic: GM's Place
Moody's: Multi-Notch Downgrade Of Greece Imminent: ZH
Clash at Brandeis U. over Israeli speaker: Times

SciTech

Thoughts on Flash: Steve Jobs
An iPad Road Test: PJM
I still want whoever is making the HALO ads for Bungie and Microsoft to remake Starship Troopers: DPU

Cornucopia

Caboodle Jeans: Workplace Alert: MOTUS
No, Not Airbrushed!: SondraK
Women Celebrate at Free Stones Concert: C&S

Image: Norman Rockwell.
Today's Larwyn's Linx sponsored by: Fat in Indiana


Thursday, April 29, 2010

I'm floored: under DemCare, whistleblower lawsuits set to explode as lifetime employment act for ambulance-chasing, slip-and-fall lawyers enacted

Writing at Maggie's Farm, Bruce Kesler observes that the new health care takeover is poised to create an explosion in lawsuits. Put simply, the new law promotes whistle-blower suits -- especially of the unprovable, frivolous malpractice variety -- that drive good doctors out of business.

As if the US didn’t already have enough lawsuits, and as if excess litigation isn’t one of the prime drivers of medical costs, and as if the Democrats didn’t garner 90% of tort lawyers’ contributions, ObamaCare will create a new boom in lawsuits.

A Qui Tam action is brought by a private citizen against a company for fraudulent claims on a federal agency in violation of the False Claims Act. If triumphant, the claimant gets part of the court award.

Qui tam (Black's Law Dictionary pronunciation: kwày tæm) "is a writ whereby a private individual who assists a prosecution can receive all or part of any penalty imposed."

[Until] now, it was necessary for the claimant to be the provider or original source of otherwise unknown information. If not, the claim was denied court jurisdiction.

Now, the failure to be the provider or original source will not deny jurisdiction, and should there be such dismissal the government can oppose the dismissal and allow the court case to proceed.

Consider this the Who Wants to be a Billionaire? act for the trial bar -- a nice, juicy reward for the tens of millions that the slip-and-fall attorneys have donated to Democrats.

The equation is simple: more money for lawyers and Democrats; fewer doctors; more misery for patients and the American taxpayer.

But, remember, they're doing it for the children.


Climatards Who Should Lead by Example: the Voluntary Human Extinction Movement

In the spirit of true progressive delirium, consider the website VHEMT.org, home of "The Voluntary Human Extinction Movement."

Its mission, in two sentences, is Al Gore's wet dream: Phasing out the human race by voluntarily ceasing to breed will allow Earth’s biosphere to return to good health. Crowded conditions and resource shortages will improve as we become less dense.

Never mind that the Ijakiedjjijdejsiaj volcano (okay, I admit it: I just hit a bunch of random letters rather than look up the real name) spewed out more ash and carbon dioxide than humanity over the entire span of recorded history.

Humanity's brief sojourn on Earth has, in a nutshell, been largely a force for good. Our quest for scientific discovery, civilization, and exploration has improved the human condition and, in many cases, the planet itself. We are part of nature's God and nature itself is part of us. VHEMT defies God and nature by vilifying the human spirit.

George Carlin was right when he said, "The planet isn't going anywhere... WE ARE."

Now, I would never encourage anyone to commit suicide, though in the case of VHEMT, they'd probably consider it a compliment.

But if you someday come across a VHEMT member who is, say, drowning, I would urge you to try to save that person, but not if doing so is in any way inconvenient for you.


Hat tip: J.W.

Congressional Research Service: One-quarter of all illegal immigrants in the U.S. call California 'casa'

A Congressional Research Service report on illegal immigrants in the U.S. was released two days ago, though to read the funny papers you'd never know it.

A couple of numbers are startling: most estimates put the total number of illegals living in the U.S. at 12 million. Between three and four million of the illegals here aren't working: i.e., they're absorbing benefits from taxpayers in the form of welfare, food stamps, free education, etc.

As for those who are employed, a full 5% of the U.S. labor force consists of illegal aliens. This is a disheartening finding when you consider that the U-6 unemployment/under-employment measure for U.S. citizens is nearly 20%.

Thanks to "Sanctuary Cities" like San Francisco and Los Angeles, California's downtrodden taxpayers suffer the most.

Nearly one-quarter of all illegal aliens in the U.S. call California home.

Say, I wonder if all of the welfare, benefits, prison expenses and other infrastructure costs of millions of illegals have anything to do with California's $23 billion annual budget deficit? Or New York's catastrophic fiscal problems?

Nah, that's got to be a coincidence.


Hat tip: Clarice Feldman.

The Islamic Republic of Britain

Dan from New York writes, "Here's a developing story, but it only appears in the 'ethnic press'":

4/29/2010

British protesters attack Israel's deputy ambassador


Pro-Palestinian protesters storm towards Talya Lador-Fresher after her speech at Manchester University, prompting police to whisk her away from site. Protesters proceed to encircle police car, climb on hood.

LONDON – A lecture given by Israel's Deputy Ambassador to Britain -- Talya Lador-Fresher -- at the University of Manchester deteriorated Wednesday into violence when pro-Palestinian protesters stormed at the diplomat in an attempted attack.

The protesters were waiting for Lador-Fresher outside the lecture hall, but this did not deter her from entering as planned. Immediately upon her exit, the protesters lunged at the diplomat, prompting security guards to whisk her back into the hall. Following a consultation on the site, it was decided to escort her out of the premises in a police car.

The deputy ambassador was removed from the hall and into the police vehicle. However, this did not block the protesters, who surrounded the car and climbed on the hood, trying to break the windshield.

Lador-Fresher ultimately was taken away from the scene safe and sound.

The deputy ambassador said that there the event certainly was unpleasant, and noted that it does not bode well for the academic debate in Britain on the Middle East.

Israeli Ambassador to Britain Ron Prosor praised his deputy for her determination and fighting spirit and emphasized that the embassy expects a sweeping denunciation of the event from the local authorities and universities in Britain...

Have you noticed that the modern Left and Islamic extremists share some pretty important traits? Consider free speech: the Left appears to hate it as much as the Islamists. In recent months, Karl Rove, Ann Coulter, David Horowitz and others have been treated to the tolerance of the Left; they are routinely assaulted and prevented from speaking in public venues.

Perhaps this is why the Left never criticizes the fanatics, no matter how many decapitations, suicide bombings, and mass-murders they commit. They're soul-mates.


Larwyn's Linx: Subsistence is the new definition of freedom

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Nation

You must accept subsistence as the new definition of freedom: AT
Statehood for Puerto Rico? Why?: RWN
Brandeis breaks out the swastika for Tea Partiers: Graham

Campaign Finance Transparency for Thee, but Not for… Dems: PJM
Obama and big sis call out SWAT on Tea Party: GWP
Dems replay May 2006 tactic: Anchoress

Economy

The Ghetto-ification of America: PJM
How Much is Needed to Bail Out Greece? $159B? $794B?: Mish
Dems illegally lower speed limits to raise money: BlogProf

Washington's tax hike charade: Tapscott
Hoyer demands 'shared sacrifice' from taxpayers: GWP
Medicare head: 'Less discretion for doctors' preferred: SIGIS

Climate & Energy

The ClimateGate Investigation: a Damning Document: AT
Dept. of Redundancy Dept.: AGW Causes Mental Illness: CBullitt
Worried about sea level, Gore buys $8.8 million ocean-view villa: LAT

Media

Free Home: Denny
Right-Wing Bloggers Are Rugged Individualists, Left-Wing Bloggers Need Hand Holding: LegalIns
They don't get it: iOTW

Censure Andre Carson: Cashill
Media Spinning Against New Arizona Law for All It’s Worth: RWN
Actual AP headline: 'Illegal immigrants plan to leave over Ariz. law': Hot Air

World

Police state: How Mexico treats illegal aliens: Malkin
Iran's lunatic, terrorist-sponsoring dictator will be welcomed in New York: Iran.org
Nuclear-armed mullahs are not an option: Obama needs to stop looking the other way: Issa, et. al.

How Hamas Tortures Gaza: Frontpage
The Female Face of France: Banned Beneath the Burqa: Chesler
MEPs vote to asphyxiate London: Hannan

SciTech

Why HP Is Buying Palm And Why It Will Fail: Insider
Shanzhai Lamborghini by a post-80s Chinese: Chinahush
Salt Tyrants: Williams

Cornucopia

MOTUS' mailbag: MOTUS
Shakira to Save Hispanics in Arizona Through the Use of Her Hips: ReelLoop
The Clinton Record: Denny

Image: Michael Graham.
Today's Larwyn's Linx sponsored by: Washington Rebel.

QOTD: Regarding Greece, action "has to be done now, has to be done very fast... It’s not a question of the danger of contagion. Contagion has already happened. This is like Ebola. When you realize you have it you have to cut your leg off in order to survive."

-- Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Secretary General Angel Gurria


Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Britain's National Health Service Suffered the Most Data Breaches of any UK Organization since 2007: 287

The Beeb confirms what you could probably guess: Britain's National Health Service does a really lousy job of protecting its patients' sensitive health records.

The NHS has reported the highest number of serious data breaches of any UK organisation since the end of 2007 [with] 287 breaches ... in the period.

That accounts for more than 30% of the total number reported.

The NHS - the UK's largest employer with 1.7m staff - is in the process of rolling out digital patient records. [Ed: what could possibly go wrong?]

Most of the breaches (113) were the result of stolen data or hardware, followed by 82 cases of lost data or hardware...

Richard Vautrey, the deputy chair of the British Medical Association's GPs committee thinks the number of breaches reflect the size and complexity of the NHS as well as its culture of openness.

But don't worry, folks. President Obama has re-tasked Joe "BFD" Biden, moving him from stimulus fraud-fighting to streamlining our transition to a national health records database.


At last: a new, safe, green Toyota

Papa B:

I can assure any buyer that there will be no gas pedal problems -- guaranteed or your money back.

 

Mexico's Drug War Leaves 22,000 Dead as Violence Spreads to U.S. -- Democrats Side with Drug-Lords and Demand Open Borders

The scale of the three-year old drug war raging in Mexico -- and bleeding into the United States -- is difficult to comprehend. It takes a few illustrations to help make the point.

Thanks to the Los Angeles Times' Drug War project, the scope of the problem is as apparent as it is horrifying.


Many of the key players operate with impunity in Mexico and freely cross over to the United States with the help of corrupt Mexican officials. And violence is worsening as the Mexican government appears too crooked and too feeble to stop the drug-lords.

Three days ago in Morelia, the state public security chief was ambushed after leaving a state fair. Four were killed and the official was wounded after her armored SUV and bodyguard complement were attacked.

Four days ago in Ciudad Juarez, a 17-year-old passerby and at least seven officers were murdered as two police cars were ambushed. Mexican officials state that the vicious, midday assault was an attempt to retaliate for recent drug arrests.

Seven days ago in Morelos, a news report described a bloody swatch of lawlessness: "Bodies are turning up in piles, hanging from overpasses, chopped up and thrown together in trash bags dumped by the roadside... Nearly 50 people have been killed this year in gun battles and gangland-style executions."

The week before, the bodies of six young men -- some teenagers -- were found in the resort town of Acapulco. Parts of other bodies were found a few days later stuffed into a black plastic bag.

All told, more than 22,000 have died since President Felipe Calderon launched a new crackdown on the drug cartels.

22,000 dead. Beheadings. Hangings. Mass-murders. Bodies sliced into pieces. Killings of cops, government officials, judges, and innocents -- with the violence spreading daily into the U.S. and beyond. Remember. Remember this as the open-border Democrats pander to illegal aliens while they throw the legal residents of Arizona -- of all races, creeds and colors -- to the wolves.


The unshakable core beliefs of Arlen Crist

Asked five times last month by Chris Wallace whether he would run as an independent for the U.S. Senate seat in Florida, Gov. Charlie Crist responded "no" five separate times.

Crist reaffirmed his gelatinous reputation today, with advisers informing the Wall Street Journal that he would announce he's running as an independent.

Crist doesn't have a principled bone in his body. He supported President Obama's outrageous "stimulus" package and has shifted positions on every issue imaginable.

To be fair, Crist does have one unshakable core principle. He will stop at nothing to ensure that Charlie Crist gets elected or appointed to high office.


Arizona Travel FAQ for Immigrants

I created the following document to describe the new requirements for non-citizens if they are traveling to Arizona. Please read carefully and let me know if you have any questions.

I'm planning to travel to Arizona. Do I need a passport?

Entry to Arizona: As of March 1, 2010, all non-U.S. citizens – including children -- must present a valid passport, book or card, for travel beyond the 'border zone' into the interior of Arizona. Entry by any means, for example by plane or car, is included in this requirement. The 'border zone' is generally defined as an area between 15 miles of the border with Mexico, depending on the location. Stays of less than 12 hours within the border zone do not require a visa or tourist card.

Non-U.S. citizens traveling as tourists beyond the border zone or entering Arizona by air must pay a fee to obtain a tourist card, also known as an AM-T, available from Arizona border crossing points, Arizona tourism offices, airports within the border zone and most airlines serving Arizona.

Upon arrival in Arizona, business travelers must complete and submit a form (Form AM-N 30 days) authorizing the conduct of business, but not employment, for a 30-day period. Travelers entering Arizona for purposes other than tourism or business or for stays of longer than 180 days require a visa and must carry a valid passport. Non-U.S. citizens planning to work or live in Arizona should apply for the appropriate visa at an Arizona tourism office.

Racist!

Of course, I created this FAQ by copying Mexico's rules for Americans and then replacing the word Mexico with Arizona. The failed narco-terrorist state's regulations for immigrants -- Guatemalans, Ecuadorans, Panamanians, etc. -- are far more onerous than those of Arizona. In fact, Mexico deports significantly more immigrants than does the U.S.

The government's first responsibility is to protect its citizens. With violence, drug- and human-smuggling rife along the border, Democrats' efforts to demonize Arizona's defense of its citizens are beneath contempt.


Related: Mexico's Immigration Law.

Larwyn's Linx: There Should Be a Law To Help Prevent This Type of Thing

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Nation

There Should Be a Law To Help Prevent This Type of Thing: JWF
How could they do that in Arizona!?: Hanson
1,100 turn out to protest Obama--in a town of 5,500: GWP

Filtering History for Political Ends: Sowell
Hope and Change in Illinois: Vouchers for Chicago Kids: BigGovt
Sheriff Joe vs. World's Worst Race Pimp: Moonbattery

Economy

I Want to Fire All Government Workers: RWN
The VAT Man Cometh: How Bad Is It?: PJM
IMF (i.e., U.S. taxpayer) sends another €10B To Greece: ZH

Executive Pay: New Jersey’s Good For The Goose…: Kesler
Foxes Ask for Sturdier Henhouses: Mish
Notch one more victim for the recession...: RWN

Climate & Energy

Oh -- so that's how the 'green economy' works: RWN
What is Ken Salazar hiding?: Tapscott
Can the EPA Rely on UN Science?: PJM

Media

Great Moments In Journalistic Integrity, Part Deux: Driscoll
'Sedition' is Constitutional: AT
Did The Danish King Wear An "I Could Be Illegal" Button?: LegalIns

Comparing the Tea Party to al-Qaeda: AT
Obama upset that Arizona's Governor chose to protect citizens of her state from illegal aliens: WUBA
How the mighty John Lewis has fallen: Hindenblog

Morano schools Mann: 'He's spending his time worrying about YouTube videos': NewsBusters

World

'What Happened After the 11th of September Was Beyond Their Imagination': JWF
Bin Laden in Iran, Documentary Claims: Timmerman
Don't Ask, Don't Tell: SondraK

Police state: How Mexico treats illegal aliens: Malkin
President of Lawless Narco-Terror Country Now Lecturing Arizona: JWF
Australia dumps Carbon Trading Scheme: C&S

SciTech

Prosecutors defend Gizmodo search: CNet
iPad users on Windows targeted with malware: ZDNet
Microsoft claims Android steps on its patents: CNet

Cornucopia

Advice To Men From Hollywood Hottie Christina Hendricks: RWN
STUDY: Is Sex Work?: C&S
Indian and Pakistani Border Guards Take Turns Trying to Out-Lunatic Each Other: Ace

Image: Via Rants & Other Refinements
Today's Larwyn's Linx Sponsored By: CODE RED ALERT: White House Withheld Information to Pass ObamaCare

QOTD: In another case of alleged sacrilege, Fox News reports that Michael Mann, the Penn State climate scientist who is a central figure in the University of East Anglia email scandal, is threatening to sue makers of a satirical video called "Hide the Decline" (you can watch at the Fox link). Mann's lawyer letter claims that the video misappropriates his likeness and leaves viewers "with the incorrect impression that he falsified data."

Bring it on, say the videographers:

"The guy is crazy to threaten legal action," said Jeff Davis, the President of No Cap and Trade, a large organization that includes the group Mann is threatening to sue, Minnesotans for Global Warming. "A lawsuit would give us full discovery--and there's a lot to look at in his work."

Hey, we've got an idea! Who's up for "Everyone Mock a Climate Scientist Day"?

-- James Taranto


Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Finally: a Believable Home Security Ad!

Are you as sick of these bogus home security ads as I am? Well, someone finally aired an ad that's plausible.


  *Creak!*

  Did you hear that?

  It's our first night in the new house... do you want me to check?

  Are you f*****g kidding me? Hell yes, I want you to check, you lazy SOB!

  What the...?

  KA-BLAM!! KA-BLAM!! ............ *** Da-Thump! ***

  Problem solved, babe!

  Nice double-tap, dear! I'm so happy we invested in a Glockk Home Security System™!


What to wear when your better half breaks out the "honey-do" list

Hat tip: Bern

The new bumper stickers are here! The new bumper stickers are here!

Papa B (who else?) sent these in. His M.O. remains the same: political correctness is always checked at the door.