RFID Giant HID Global Moving HQ to Texas

HID Global, an identity, identification, and security corporation, announced it is moving its Global Headquarters to Austin, Texas.

HID is currently the global market leader in secure and protected ID card systems, particularly with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) cards and chips. HID's technology has been employed in various markets from hospital and medical security and patient tracking to transportation to schools to physical and information security systems in government and private businesses. The US Dept. of Homeland Security has even awarded HID Global for their efforts.

The new HQ facility is expected to open in mid-late 2015. It will be the company's largest facility in the world and is expected to generate new employment opportunities for Texans.

HID had announced expanding its operations to the new facility back in 2012. However, the company recently decided to make the new facility in Austin, TX its global HQ. Its placement in Austin will put the HQ in proximity to the University of Texas (UT) as well as many other universities. Those near Dallas and San Antonio provide graduates a potential job location within a few hours drive.

Of the announcement, Governor Rick Perry released the following statement:

"HID's decision to move their worldwide headquarters to Texas is proof positive that our focus on low taxes, smart regulations, fair courts and a skilled workforce helps create jobs and strengthen our economy. I'm pleased HID has chosen to call Texas home, and look forward to their continued success in the Lone Star State."

HID's technology has enhanced security and management in numerous industries including the medical field. Their RFID technology can be used to secure medical storage areas, tracking entry and exit as well as access. They are also used in tracking patients whose locations are monitored and medical records are accessed by cleared/approved personnel.

Some education facilities have started employing HID's RFID technology to increase accountability, track attendance, and combat truancy. RFID usage in public schools has sparked increasing controversy concerning the unconstitutional tracking and data collection of citizens, particularly minors. 

A Little Mouse And A Little Heartbreak

This is a tribute to a little survivor named "Marshmallow".

Marshmallow spent the last couple of weeks of his life on the border between being a pet and being snake food.

We have a pet snake named "Copper". Copper is a corn snake that has doubled in size over the past year. His name comes from his coloring which reminds us of the copper stained cliffs around Bisbee, AZ.

The irony of the following tale is I was once quoted as saying "name it or eat it" regarding the pet snake. I even suggested the name "Belt" at one time. Eventually, my wife, daughter, and I settled on a name. The naming marked his final gateway into being a family pet.

Well, Copper eats once a week or so. If he is close to shedding, his appetite is a bit lower. The feeding day after shedding, it is normally a bit higher. He usually gets a small mouse and a "hopper" (teenager) a week. We normally feed him the larger mouse first. Copper can get lazy. If we give him the smaller, younger mouse, he hunts it, then seems to consider it too difficult to bother going after the larger one. If we somehow handicap the larger mouse, the snake will still eat it, though. It comes from instinct, culling the pack or herd of the weakest, just as happens in nature.

A couple of weeks ago, Copper had just barely started to "haze over", signs he'd shed in 5 days to a week. His appetite is usually normal. We suspected he'd be at that "don't bother me, no hungry, shedding" point on the next feeding day. Knowing we may end up skipping a week's feeding due to that, we got him his usual mouse plus hopper weekly meal.

The grown mouse was a little on the larger side. But Copper stalked and swallowed it like a champ. So we put the little "teenager" or "hopper" in the snake cage. A few hours later, Copper seemed to be half-hardheartedly stalking the mouse. He'd creep, strike, miss, then move away. An hour later he may try again. So, we left the mouse in there.

The next day, we didn't see the mouse in the morning. We figured the snake ate him. When my wife returned from work, though, she saw the mouse hiding under one of the snake's rocks, unscathed. We left the mouse in the cage another night. We figured that if the snake was hungry, he'd hunt it at night. If the mouse survived, we'd come up with another plan.

The next morning, there was this little survivor clinging to the top of  the snake's cage by the heating light, shivering. The mouse was cold. But he was smart enough to climb out of the snake's reach and to a spot to get warm.

So, we looked at an old aquarium that used to serve as Copper's home. We decided the little guy could hang out in the aquarium until the next weekend. After all, this was a Tuesday (New Year's Eve) and the snake may shed by Saturday and be hungry as heck come Sunday.

Sunday came. the snake still hadn't shed. The mouse was still alive. I referred to the mouse as "mouthful the snake snack". Somehow that was translated into "Marshmallow". Still, it was the name for food. That was the intent for the mouse, to be food.

We continued to feed Marshmallow bits of fruit, cheese, and nuts. He ate. He drank. He played. That Sunday, our kid came home. She knew nothing of the tale. I made the mistake of saying "Hi Marshmallow" when I walked into my room. That prompted the kid's curiosity. She saw the mouse and immediately started the "he's cute, let's keep him" talk. Mind you, our kid has helped us toss mice into the snake cage many times. She is not squeamish about mice being snake food.

Well, Copper finally shed that following Thursday. So we knew he'd be very hungry come Sunday. But this little mouse had survived two days in the snake's cage and two more weeks on death row. The wife and I talked about it. This little bugger had a survivor's instinct and warrior spirit. We surmised that he just was not destined to be snake food.

Our kid was spending the night at her Aunt's house. So we guessed we'd surprise her by setting the aquarium up as a mouse habitat and keeping Marshmallow as a pet.

Almost as though he were excited about the news, Marshmallow was very active and playful that morning. My wife was excited when she gleefully squealed "he let me pet him!". So off we went to shop for our groceries, for snake food, and for mouse habitat items for Marshmallow.

We bought Copper's normal weekly meal. We also picked up a roving ball, an exercise wheel,a water bottle, some pet-quality mouse food, and a small food dish.

We are regulars at the pet store, recognized on sight by many of the employees. So, when we went to check-out the Copper Chow and had small-rodent pet supplies, the employees knew we had a tale to tell. We relayed the tale about Marshmallow clinging on for life near the heat lamp, bravely evading Copper's deadly hug and kiss for two days. They more than acknowledged that there must be something special about that little mouse. 

We were gone about 90 minutes. We put away our groceries. My wife started preparing things for Marshmallow's home. Mind you, the feeder mice were still tucked in their little carry cage. Next thing I hear is "Paul! Is something wrong with Marshmallow? Is he dead?"

I walked into the room and looked down into the aquarium. My heart skipped a beat. Mice don't sleep on their sides sprawled out like a dog sunbathing. I tapped the mouse. He didn't move. He was cold. He was quite dead.

We don't know what killed him. Maybe the food we fed him was bad for him. Maybe he chewed on the plastic plants my wife had placed in there for him to climb on. Maybe he was just so relived he had been accepted as a pet instead of regarded as just Copper Chow.

My wife looked at all the stuff we bought for him. She spoke about the money "wasted", but it wasn't the money that upset her. It was the disappointment and the heartbreak. It wasn't "break down and weep" grief. But it was a minor stinging pang of a small heartbreak. 

I warmed up his little carcass. I said a little silent prayer of praise for his warrior spirit. Then I dangled his warmed-up, lifeless body in front of Copper. Copper "fought" the lifeless corpse almost as a sign of respect, then swallowed it.

He also ate the larger mouse we bought.

The hopper now has a great set-up, the one intended for Marshmallow, the great survivor. He was first named "Smore" because he looks like Marshmallow, only slightly toasted. An hour later, his name was "Snot" because he('s not) Marshmallow. Well, his name is officially "Marshmallow Too/Two". I'd like to call him "Lucky". I also like to believe that Marshmallow, being the little warrior and survivor he was, gave his life so this one could live.

And Marshmallow, we miss you. I hope you enjoyed your last two weeks of life as part of our family.

Texas Leaders Mourn Ariel Sharon

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon died Jan. 11. 2014 after spending 8 years in a vegetative coma. The coma was the result of a devastating stroke Sharon suffered during his last year in office, as he was gearing up for a probable re-election in 2006.

Sharon was controversial. He was despised by some and adored by others around the world. Dislike him or not, he was a man who commanded a level of respect so few manage to garner.

News of his passing prompted responses from prominent leaders and legislators across the United States, include some rather prominent Texans.

Texas Governor Rick Perry issued the following statement regarding the news:

"Ariel Sharon was a proud and strong defender of the nation of Israel, an uncompromising patriot who faced down the multiple enemies surrounding his young country with selfless determination and unflinching courage. We stand with the Israeli people as they mourn his passing. Anita joins me in sending our prayers and sympathies to Sharon's friends and family, as well as everyone ever inspired by his courageous example of love of country."

Some may recall that a few months ago, Perry took a trip to Israel where, among other things, he announced that Texas A&M University is building a campus in Nazareth.

US Senator from Texas, Ted Cruz, memorialized PM Sharon with these remarks:

"The story of Ariel Sharon’s life was very much the story of the state of Israel from his birth in Kfar Malal twenty years before Israel was established, to fighting in the Six Days war of 1967, to his service as Prime Minister from 2001-06. He experienced enormous struggle and adversity, but persevered in the defense of the nation he loved. Israel has lost a great warrior and the United States has lost a great friend. May he rest in peace."

Texas Attorney General and current gubernatorial candidate Greg Abbott released this statement:

"Ariel Sharon was a giant leader to the people of Israel. His achievements as a military leader and peacemaker will not be forgotten, and Texas’ unbreakable bond with the State of Israel will never be diminished. Cecilia and I send our deepest condolences to the Sharon family and the people of Israel.”

PM Sharon was a decorated and admired military leader long before his foray into politics. In 1953, he led a strike against Palestinian terrorists hiding in Jordan. He fought gallantly during the Yom Kippur War in  1973.

Later, in 1982, as Israel's defense minister, he took personal responsibility for failing to prevent the massacre of Palestinians refugees.

In 2005, he presided over the pull-out of 24 Israeli settlements in Gaza, hoping to broker peace between Palestinian and Hebrew Israeli citizens.

He demonstrated resolve in both war and peace. He showed true leadership, making hard decisions ans sticking by his morals.

The world has been missing Ariel Sharon for 8 years. Time has come for the peaceful reward he earned in life. 

Those December '13 Numbers

The Bureau of Labor Statistics released its reckoning on the December 2013 employment numbers.

The positive spin concerns the decline of the U3 unemployment rate to 6.7%, a five year low. It is the lowest calculated U3 rate since the start of the recession in late 2008. In October 2008, the U3 rate was 6.5%. The rate should come with a footnote explaining the change in definitions used in the calculations that took place during Obama's first term.

It does appear as good news. However, don't let yourself be myopic. Step back and examine why that number dropped.

The largest contributor to that drop in the U3 unemployment rate is obvious. The total number of people willing to work, looking for work, working, or wanting to be part of the available workforce declined substantially. A drop of a tenth of a percent (0.1%) is a huge change to the labor force. December numbers report a drop twice that amount at 0.2%. The participation rate is now at 62.8%, demonstrating a drop of just over 0.8% over 2013. It means over 493,000 more people gave up in December. It means almost 2 million people gave up in 2013 alone.

BLS reports that the total number of underemployed due to economic reasons remains the same about the same. What the figures do not calculate is the number of people employed full-time at jobs they are over-qualified to fill. For example, a person with a Masters in Psychology - Early Childhood Development working as a diaper-changer at a daycare facility for a $10.00 per hour wage. The circumstances concerning such forms of underemployment are not calculated or reported by the BLS.

The current U6 based upon the current BLS definitions is 11.7%. That is down 0.3% from November, again due to the decline in the labor force.

Some wish to spin the low U3 rate as now at its lowest level since October 2008. For that reason, we'll use the November 2008 data for comparisons. The U3 in Nov. 2008 was 6.8%, slightly above the current reported U3.

If the participation rate were the same, 65.8% instead of the current 62.8%, then the current U3 would be closer to 11.1%. The U6 would be closer to 15.9%. That 3.1% drop in people willing to work, look for work, or currently working is huge. It makes the 6.8% unemployment of Nov 2008 look prosperous when compared to the anemic 6.7% U3 rate of today.

It means things are far from getting better.

Perry Hypes TX Transportation

Governor Rick Perry has been lauding the improvements in the Texas transportation system.

The available data indicates that Texas transportation infrastructure, particularly highways, has increased and grown substantially since 2001. In fact, records show that over 6,500 new miles of highway have been built in the past 12 years. The growth and improvements have cost taxpayers almost $60 billion.

In order to accomplish the projects, Perry and the State have instituted P-3 (Private-Public Partnership) projects similar to those instituted by Governor Mitch Daniels of Indiana. They have also delegated much of the roadwork to local and municipal officials so they could target the work where the cities felt it was most needed.

Of course, that works great if the local municipal government is transparent and not corrupt. However, it leaves questions about cities such as San Antonio whose mayor has been pushing for an over-priced light rail system that will never generate enough revenue to be self-sufficient. That means it will forever be a burden upon the taxpayers to run mostly empty trains. Other questions can be raised concerning transportation funding in San Antonio should a trace on the funds show it being deposited into any of the revolving accounts such as "the variable" in the city's telecommunications department. 

The improvements made in the past 12 years have prompted the Texas Transportation Commission to create the Governor Rick Perry Leadership in Transportation Award. the award will be given to leaders in Texas who increase transportation infrastructure in a manner that does not increase taxes on citizens. 

Gov. Perry remarked on the importance of transportation infrastructure in Texas and the government's role in facilitating projects:

"Transportation fuels the economy that's making it possible for families to build lives, but transportation is also essential to help families enjoy the lives they've built," Gov. Perry said. "That's a simple fact of life that we need to keep in mind moving forward. That's why we've taken so many steps over the past decade to improve our roads, while remaining true to the essential Texas value of fiscal responsibility."

With many businesses moving from less-business-friendly states to Texas and the relative economic boom in the state, many contend that the improvement and growth of transportation infrastructure is a necessary factor in continuing economic growth in the state. Companies such as X-Cor and Magpul benefit from relocating to Texas. In order for their products to get to their designated markets, they need roads, railways, and airfields. 

One key feather in the state government's cap is they have accomplished this without raising taxes. However, a drawback is unfunded liabilities generated from the sale of bonds. Bonds are a form of loan to the government, part of the public debt. They must be paid back with interest in the future. That leaves a drawback of potentially leaving the next generation stuck with the bills.

The 83rd Legislature had to convene for a second special session this past summer to debate (and pass) resolutions regarding the transportation funding in the state. The resolution went before voters this past November and were ratified to the Texas State Constitution. The resolution allowed for the creation of a new transportation fund and the movement of a portion of the Economic Stability Fund (so-called "rainy day fund"). The ESF funds were then to be back-filled by any budgetary surplus after the biannual budget closed.

Comptroller Combs certified the budget with a $5.5 Billion surplus for 2012-13. Many voters are wondering why the transportation fund wasn't just created on its own without having to reduce the ESF. The ESF is mostly funded from the remainders of any budgetary surplus that results. It is part of the state's balanced budget amendment. Others contend that the surplus could also have been used to pay down some of the public debt. Though the state is not in bad shape, some Texas cities, such as San Antonio and Houston, have record high public debts. More conservative citizens contend that it is far more responsible to live the life you can afford instead of living the life you can borrow today at the cost of tomorrow's prosperity.

Red State The Movie (Review)

A while back there was a movie made entitled "Red State". It is billed as a "horror movie" but would be better billed as "horrible". The movie is available on various streaming video outlets such as Apple iTunes or Netflix.

Anybody who had a competent 8th grade civics teacher who taught them facts instead of pushing revisionist lies such as those propagated by Howard Zinn and his compatriots would easily identify this movie as far off the mark.

It is worth watching as a form of dark comedy as you munch popcorn and make fun of the obvious lack of intellect behind the script and the poor attempt to label any of the antagonists as being anywhere close to "right wing", "conservative" or "Red State" in ideology.

First, the title is highly misleading. Though the setting may, indeed, be in a conservative so-called "red state" such as Kansas, none of the main players appear to be conservative.

The main antagonists are portrayed as some odd mixture of the Westboro Baptist Church and David Koresh's Branch Davidian fanatics from near Waco Texas. The other antagonists are from other pages of modern history. They are a task force of ATF agents portrayed to be as competent and law abiding as those who carried out Operation Fast and Furious. They also appear to be as restrained and professional as Janet Reno's shining boys who stormed the Davidian complex near Waco.

Let's break this down by political ideology.

The Phelps family who comprise the majority of WBC are, by and large, "democrats". That is, they are card-carrying members of the Democratic Party. They are left-wingers. Rev. Phelps has run for political office at both the state and federal level on the Democratic Party ticket. He seeks an oligarchy, a religious caliphate based upon his skewed and perverted version of Christianity. That is not a right-wing, conservative ideology. It isn't even close.

The federal agents and those issuing their orders also appear left-wing. They want to secure that their oligarchy has power. They willfully ignore the US Constitution and order a raid and executions in violations of the 4th and 5th Amendments to the US Constitution. They also seek to infringe upon 2nd Amendment rights. The task forces they are set to imitate both fell under left-wing executive administrations. Janet Reno is a die-hard left-winger who ran her tyrannical bureaucracy under leftist Bill Clinton. Op Fast and Furious was done by the ATF under the direction of left-wing hero and anti-gun crusader Eric Holder.

Of course, the Ruby Ridge incident was on Bush (41)'s watch. That ATF task force also violated the US Constitution several times over starting with the killing of the family dog. However, the Weavers and his gang were noted white supremacists. That is another left-wing collective who believes that different groups should have different, special rights based upon some determined common factor, in this case, skin color (and ancestral origin). In the case of Ruby Ridge, there was an attempted cover-up. Both sides behaved badly. However, constitutional protections were ignored.

Whoever titled this movie should have renamed it "Left-Wing Extremists Behaving Badly in a Red State". It's a shame that Kevin Smith of "Jay and Silent Bob" fame ascribed his name to this movie as both writer and director. Perhaps he should have done a little more research before allowing such a misleading title.

For those who need a quick reminder of the political spectrum:

Davis Praises Van de Putte on Veterans?

Wendy Davis's campaign is in full swing, and she's tethered her pink laces to Lt. Gov. candidate Leticia Van de Putte. In late November, Davis praised Van de Putte for her work on veterans' issues. Davis's remarks were part of her response concerning Van de Putte's official announcement of her candidacy.

“Sen. Van de Putte’s dedication to representing the interests of all Texans makes her an outstanding choice for Lieutenant Governor. She has delivered for our veterans and small businesses, and like many Texans, I’m excited about her announcement." (From an article posted by the very-left-leaning "Capital Tonight")

As a veteran, I can solemnly state that neither one of them cares about veterans. They both care about votes. They both care about duping people into believing that they stand for each of the special little collectives. That's all veterans are to them, part of some collective of faceless, mindless drones. They toss us some scraps and then tell us they are taking care of us.

Sorry kids, but neither one of you take care of me. I take care of myself.

Those veterans benefits you claim you gave us? Here's a news flash for you, you don't fool me. I earned them. You didn't give me a damned thing. In fact, you both have worked hard to undermine the things I fought for.

Davis may have been referring to the Texas bill Van de Putte sponsored that allegedly assists veterans with TBI and PCS/PTSD screenings. However, those screenings are a veiled trap. Federal regulations currently and unconstitutionally allow VA officials to administratively take away veterans' constitutional rights. Among those they infringe upon is the second amendment. The fourth amendment is also stripped as such an action then creates a false "probable cause" for illegal searches and seizures without due process or warrants.

In other words, that law is portrayed as a means to help ailing veterans. In reality, it is a means to strip veterans of the very constitutional rights they fought to "support and defend against all enemies". That is a travesty.

The only way Davis and Van de Putte could prove their intentions truly were designed to benefit our veterans would be to insure that their efforts and sacrifices were not in vain. It would be to stand for individual rights instead of special shackles for collectives. It would be to campaign for Texas to be a Constitutional Carry state that required no special permits or licenses to keep (own) and bear (carry) arms, be they rifles or pistols, either carried openly or concealed. If they thought veterans truly deserved better treatment, then they should support those constitutional carry laws first apply to retired and honorably discharged veterans. Carrying the firearms, concealed or open, should be allowed on all public college campuses. (Private schools that do not take state funds should be allowed to set their own rules on their own property).

Both of these "ladies" oppose open carry legislation, campus carry legislation, and they both opposed the law that now allows Texas public school teachers to carry concealed with a special permit (and classes).

If these candidates really supported veterans, they would fight, legislatively, for those things you were reminded about in your Code of Conduct training. Instead, they wage a legislative war against them.

They could care less about the natural individual rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. If they cared about life, they would not have fought against the Texas abortion law that makes abortions safer for both mother and child. Instead, they would prefer abortionists such as Kermit Gosnell set up their houses of horror on every corner in every low-income neighborhood. Remember, Gosnell tried to defend the murders he committed (as was convicted for) as part of the "war on poverty". The founder of Planned Parenthood was an extreme racist and follower of eugenics. They started doing abortions in order to reduce the population of the groups Margaret Sanger despised:  "Blacks, Jews, Japs, Chincs, Mexicans, and all immigrants". Margaret Sanger was also a huge supporter of the Democratic Party, which still supports Planned Parenthood. 

If they cared about those individual natural rights then they would support the US Constitution in its entirety, and fight for those liberties it protects. Examples are the First, Second, Fourth, and Tenth Amendments. 

If they cared about the Pursuit of Happiness, they would be against increasing Obamacare's influence on Texas. They would detest that law. They would see how it infringes upon our choices to do with our earned property as we wish. They would oppose any and all tax rate increases. They would oppose redistribution programs instead opting to support charities and freely given donations.

And since Obamacare is, unfortunately, a currently enforced federal law, they would push to have those whose job it is to assist people in being compliant be properly and adequately capable of doing so. The recent discoveries that "Navigators" in Texas were not licensed, were not authorized to conduct insurance sales, and have little knowledge about insurance and securities laws have prompted investigations. Both Van de Putte and Davis have stated opposition to the investigations and proposed regulations. So, in their view, it's fine to put infringements upon the rights of private citizens and their businesses but it is deplorable to require government workers to do so? That is the exact opposite of the founding ideals and Constitutional protections veterans defended. Perhaps it is because Davis and Van de Putte are in league with the fraud, waste, and abuse that James O'Keef III uncovered to include the links so-called "navigators" have to Battleground Texas and other socialist support organizations. They don't want the navigators to be vetted and actually helpful. They want them to be good little stooges that will help them enslave more of the serfs and line the pockets of their political donors.

No, they do not support those inalienable rights nor the US Constitution for which we veterans gave a solemn oath to support and defend against all enemies. We consecrated that oath with out blood, sweat and tears. If they cared about us, then they would make sure our blood, sweat and tears as well as all else we sacrificed would not be in vain.

If you are a veteran and some politician is claiming to have given you some special shiny privilege, she probably lied to you. You earned it. You built that. They didn't.

One Vet's Thoughts On Fallujah

Fallujah sucks. It was, is, and will remain for quite some time a hell-hole. Allowing it to fall back into the hands of national socialists (Ba'ath Party loyalists) or violent religious extremists (such as the Al Q'aeda terrorist network) is less than foolish and irresponsible. It is a reprehensible sin.

When people find out I survived four tours to Iraq, they inevitably ask "where were you over there?". My answer is to pull out my map of Iraq and point at it. I did four tours, and none of them had the same "duty location". None of them included my staying at any FOB for the entirety of any tour. In fact, there were no FOBs, COBs, or real bases in Iraq during my first tour.

I fought in the "ground war" or "initial invasion" or whatever buzz-term is currently in vogue to describe the initial push into Iraq, the fight up through Najaf, across the dam, into Baghdad then up into the "Sunni Triangle" halting near Tikrit. I redeployed in early July 2003 only to be volun-told to sign a waiver that would have me back in Baghdad by New Years Day 2004.

I cannot talk much about my duties during that second tour. I can say that I was deeply involved in finding the bad guys so that the door-kickers could deal with them. Sometimes, when I found them, it wasn't safe for door-kickers. So we used other methods of engagement.

That meant I sometimes had to "go outside the wire". I would have to assist in what is called "site exploitation". The police would call it "processing a crime scene for evidence" then "analyzing forensic reports". Sometimes that meant I had to be there to make sure certain questions were asked, and to hear the answers first-hand. It varied. But, I was one of a handful of interlopers that "had to be there", sometimes. It was ironic how units that were welcoming only due to professionalism the first time around would insistently invite, request, demand I come back and help out during subsequent missions.

Then there was Fallujah. I rack my brain unsuccessfully to find a place I loathe more.

I took a visit there in April of 2004. I had recommended some actions from my "air conditioned palace chair" in Baghdad (I didn't work in any of the palaces, mind you). Next I knew, I was on the ground helping to "direct traffic" in order to at least appear the operations were more surgical. When 70% of the male population over 12 years old is most likely a member of some terrorist, insurgent, or Ba'ath loyalist cell and the other 30% are linked to organized crime, not much pinpoint precision is needed to hit a bad guy. In fact, you couldn't swing a dead cat in Fallujah without hitting a few of them.

After a bloody battle, one of the worst since the "ground war" was declared "mission accomplished", some suit in the US State Department made a deal with the devil. We pulled out and left Fallujah to a group of Iraqis.

Yes, we fought hard, shed a lot of blood, took the hill, and gave it back. If you have ever watched "Hamburger Hill", that is what we did on May 1st, 2004. When I got back to my comfy chair in my cooled to 90 degree not-in-a-palace "office", one of my Chiefs (US Army type "Chief" as in Chief Warrant Officer, not a Navy Petty) asked what I thought about the peace deal struck in Fallujah. My response was a very poor Arnold Schwarzenegger impression "Oh, We'll be bahck."


I laughed a couple of weeks later when Geraldo Rivera announced he was going there. His pretty up-armored SUVs looked like somebody put a unarmored Chevy Bronco in the middle of a range and yelled "free beer for whoever lands the most hits". Luckily nobody was seriously harmed by his foolish escapade.

True to form, we were back in Fallujah in September. I will say that there were other operations in and around Fallujah prior to the second battle. Without breaking any laws, I can say that we knew the "cease fire" and "peace deal" had done nothing but allow Fallujah to become an Al Qa'ida and Ba'ath Loyalist safe haven. We had an agreement. No US Boots were on the ground inside the city until the second battle. We kept up our side of the agreement, though the Iraqis were not capable of meeting their side.


So, we did what we call "shaping operations". We did them in a rather surgical and precise manner. We did our best to make sure the badder of the bad guys had some bad days. The problem was that the environment was too target rich. By the time the second battle of Fallujah began, most "good people", women and children had sneaked out of the city. Not many remained.

That second battle was bad. It was hard. It was some of the hardest urban combat the US Military has ever engaged in. Chris Kyle has some great passages from his perspective of the fight in his book.

Well, after my 4th tour, we pulled out of Iraq, officially. Unofficially, we still have combat advisers there. That was the job I did during my 4th tour. I can say with pure confidence that the Iraqis were not yet ready to handle their own affairs.

The events of the last few days prove that. Fallujah, like Hamburger Hill, was given back to the terrorists.

Look, kids, there is something in military operations called "key terrain". It is spots on a map that you take and hold at all costs. Fallujah, Ramadi, and Baghdad were among the pieces of key terrain in Iraq. It was universally stupid to gain control of them just to surrender them after we won.

We pulled out of Iraq too early. the Iraqis were not yet ready and our mission was not yet complete. There should have been proper metrics, goals, and gateways to meet. Setting a hard date was foolish. What was our hard date to pull out of Germany after WWII? Here is a hint, we are still there. The Occupation Medal for WWII was issued to those stationed in Berlin all the way until 1991. The wall fell in November 1989.

Now it appears all those lives may have been lost in vain. The vanity is that of the current Commander-In-Chief, his Secretary of Defense, his last Secretary of State as well as the current one, and any General Officer who has been too cowardly to stand up and tell any of the above that they are evil, idiots, or both.

Al Q'aida has retaken their favorite stronghold in Iraq. Ramadi may also fall to them soon. That will set up a pipeline between them and the Al Q'aida linked groups in Syria. That will also set up pipelines to Afghanistan (through Iran).

Politicians were warned (by even bin Laden's own words) that all they had to do was be patient and wait us out. I really, really, really hate to say "I told you so". When I do, it usually means somebody died.

Well, I told you so.

Perry Welcomes Magpul to Texas

Many firearms and firearms accessory companies threatened to relocate in the wake of last year's legislation in Colorado.

In the aftermath of the Sandy Hook tragedy and the mass murder in a Colorado theater during a screening of the third Batman:  Dark Knight film, Colorado legislators passed new infringements upon the 2nd Amendment to the US Constitution during their 2013 session.

The legislative moves have caused some legislators to face recall elections and others to resign rather than face the disgrace of losing such an election. It appears that there are enough Colorado residents who are sick of politicians telling citizens what is best for them instead of listening to their constituents.

Now that 2014 has arrived, many of those infringements are effective, at least until any pending US Supreme Court cases rule the oppressive laws unconstitutional.

That gave states such as Texas and Arizona the "in" they needed to start seducing firearms industry companies in Colorado.

Arizona is a Constitutional Carry state, meaning no special license is required to carry a firearm, including a semi-automatic pistol, either concealed or openly.

Texas still does not allow the open carry of modern pistols. However, the state is a "shall issue" concealed handgun license state. the state is the first to pass laws that allow public school employees to receive additional training and be licensed to carry in public schools. Texas has made a move towards allowing CHL holders to carry on college campuses, though is not quite there. They now allow students with CHLs to store firearms in their vehicles on campus. 

Texas has a lot to offer a growing company. First, there is no state income tax. That alleviates some of the payroll tax burdens on employers and serves as an incentive to employees. Then there are several other incentives at the state level. There are other tax breaks for property taxes and capital gains taxes. There are grants for companies that can prove to be job and capital creators.

It appears that Magpul has finally had enough of the tyranny in Colorado. They have moved their corporate headquarters to Texas.

In his remarks concerning the decision to move the headquarters, Magpul CEO Richard Fitzpatrick stated:

"Excessive government regulation undermines a culture based on personal responsibility and creates a detrimental business environment. Texas supports personal freedoms and our company will thrive in that environment."

Upon receiving the news of Magpul's decision, Governor of the Republic of Texas, Rick Perry issued the following remarks:

"In Texas, we understand that freedom breeds prosperity, which is why we've built our economy around principles that allow employers to innovate, keep more of what they earn and create jobs. I'm proud that Magpul is the latest employer to join the ranks of companies that call Texas home."

Perry has made similar offers to more than 30 other firearms industry companies across the US. While Glock may not leave Smyrna, GA anytime soon, Kimber and Kahr Arms may be enticed to leave New York should the laws there become more restrictive. Kahr's major production and assembly plant is in Massachusetts, another state with highly restrictive anti-gun laws. As other states continue to seek to infringe more and more upon the 2nd Amendment (as well as increase taxes), more and more of these companies may seek the greener pastures of the Lone Star State.  

Common Core & US Chamber Of Commerce

The US Chamber of Commerce has entered the Common Core Debate on the side of cookie-cutter indoctrination.

The US Chamber of Commerce has shown its true colors. The organization represents itself as a pro-business organization in favor of increasing the quality of workers available in the labor pool, making the average American more competitive in the business world. However, the group is in full support of nationalized indoctrination programs such as Common Core.

Common Core is anything but pro-business and pro-capitalism. The controversial conglomeration of standardized, one-size-fits-all education curricula opposes individuality. It opposes individual growth and prosperity. It pushes for group grades for group projects instead of individual efforts and production. As most people know, competition is an incentive to test one's limits and excel. Common Core seeks to achieve better results in education by removing the competition and redistributing the grades and knowledge individuals earn.

It also ignores basic tenets of cognizant and early childhood development, expecting kids to learn things at the meta-cognitive, analytical, and abstract levels while their brains are developed to only the concrete, factual, definitive levels of comprehension. What this does is push a false belief that there are no absolutes, there are no wrong answers, and that every wrong answer can be justified. The system also favors indoctrinating Marxist, Tolstoyian, and communist ideologies.

The US Chamber of Commerce jumped into the fight. Instead of supporting free thought and debate on the subject, they chose to vilify conservatives and libertarians who oppose this 10th Amendment violating concept called Common Core. While the given link has a dot-com suffix, it is directly linked to US Government agencies, notably within the executive branch, which is controlled by Common Core supporter Barack Obama.

On the organization's website, you can find a pledge to support Common Core:

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation urges you to show your support for college- and career-ready standards by reading and signing the Common Core pledge below:
I appreciate the steps that 45 states and the District of Columbia have taken to advance our education system by better preparing students for college and the workforce.
Increasing the rigor of standards and sharpening the focus on the skills needed to succeed is essential to the health of the economy and ultimately to benefit our students.  It is for that reason that I believe the following:

• The Common Core State Standards, voluntarily adopted by states, will better prepare students for college and career than existing state standards.
  
• These standards lay out what a student should know and be able to do at the end of each year, including being ready for college and/or the workforce upon high school graduation.
  
• State and local education leaders maintain the authority to implement these standards, including setting the curriculum, choosing materials, and providing professional development. Common Core does not dictate the rights of teachers and administrators.
  

I support the full implementation of Common Core academic standards for the benefit of our children, our workforce, and our economy.
Please complete the information below to sign the Common Core Pledge and support higher academic standards.

Responsible and loving parents probably have a response to that pledge that is not fit for a radio broadcast. Expletives aside, many will respond with #WeTheParents say #NoMore.

Responsible and loving parents that want their children to succeed and prosper might be better served taking a different pledge or oath.


Here is one suggestion:

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under G-d, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

I pledge allegiance to the US Constitution, all of its articles and amendments. The first ten of  those are my rights as this supreme law protects. This supreme law also guards my sacred liberties and individual natural rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

I pledge allegiance to my progeny, the future of my great Republic, and the flag which stands for it. I promise to teach them the importance of individual natural rights, our founding ideals, and the supremacy of the US Constitution. 

Another might be:

I promise to fight redistribution in all of its forms, be it economic, intellectual, real property, thought, effort, merit, or achievement. A team is only as strong as its weakest link and individual competition motivates all those links to be stronger. I promise to fight Common Core and all for which it stands. I promise to give my progeny the opportunities to be leaders, successful, and examples of excellence. 

It's About the $, Not The Kids

The US Chamber of Commerce backing Common Core demonstrates that Common Core is not for the betterment of our children. It is all about oligopolies, oligarchies, and lining the pockets of the chosen few.

The proof is found if one looks into those who back Common Core. Among them is Bill Gates. Gates is a fine example of ingenuity, capitalism, and free-market competition. If it weren't for early computer tech companies like Apple, Cisco, Texas Instruments, IBM, and Commodore, Gates may not have had the opportunities to find his niche nor the incentives to compete and strive to build Microsoft into the powerhouse it currently is. However, Gates is in favor of socialist oligarchies. He is openly left-wing in economic and political ideology. He is one of Common Core's largest supporters.

General Electric is another. GE received $139 billion in taxpayer money to bail them out during the recession. The translation is that they were bought out by the Democratic majority in the federal government at the time of the TARP bailouts.

So is the UAW, a pro-Marxist workers' union. The UAW was, perhaps, the largest beneficiary of the poorly managed and executed TARP bailouts.

Where this leads is to the educational materials industry. Any college student can attest to the already inflated costs of textbooks. They are a "captive audience", mandated to use the books in order to pass the classes. The textbook market has become an oligopoly. Compare the prices of comparable textbooks that a given course could use. The prices are relatively similar. So is the quality.

With the advent of the internet and digital "e-books", textbook publishers face competition from outside the hard-print market. Online assets and materials are readily available. That brings the current competition for computer-based learning and educational materials. If only a hand-full of these are approved nationally to meet Common Core standards, they will join the current oligopoly. They will seek to have the oligarchy change regulations, the standards, to deter competition. The members of the oligopoly and oligarchy get rich. Consumers are stuck with a limited market. Potential competitors are prevented from providing what could, in reality, be better products and competing in the market.

Look at the CSCOPE and Common Core aligned applications and sites being used in Texas. I-Station in Texas is fully funded by taxpayers as approved by the Texas State Board of Education. It is a Common Core education and assessment tool. Common Core assessment tools are against Texas state law. Yet the state is paying for one. Another is the site Think Through Math. TTM is designed specifically for Common Core. It was sponsored and pushed onto Texas students through CSCOPE. Despite being illegal to use in Texas, public schools still use it. Teachers and administrators will tell parents that it is optional. However, if parents don't allow its use in the home, the students are forced to use it in the classroom. Many times, the kids are "punished", denied recess, in order to get their time on TTM. This is despite parents' decisions to not allow their kids to use CSCOPE or Common Core materials.

The subscriptions cost money. Those fees are paid by taxpayers, against their will. The owners and operators of the sites get rich. Our kids are taught through these "common core" collectivist methods that have already proven ineffective. Heck, kids don't even learn multiplication tables anymore. They are taught concepts before facts. That is backwards. It is unethical. And it is a waste of our tax money.

So, along comes the US Chamber of Commerce. They back the oligopoly's production of these poor and ineffective "educational materials" that back cognitive theories already proven incorrect. They do so to increase the power of the oligarchy, to indoctrinate slaves skilled in only what they decide. They steal opportunity. They steal choice. They steal the pursuit of happiness. They do all of this and get rich in doing so. There is a word for that crime:  FRAUD.


H/T to Kurt Schlichter for pointing out the US Chamber of Commerce's "pledge".