Collectivism is what allows our politicians to retain and expand their power over our lives.  Rights are not something granted to us by the government.  We are born with rights.  Tragically, the majority of voters have allowed the government to take our rights away.

It is individualism that the American Founders elevated into political prominence and it is individualism that most politicians and governments, including America’s, find most annoying because it is the bulwark against arbitrary power.

If, as the Declaration of Independence states, individual human beings have unalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, no one may violate these rights. Every adult individual is sovereign, a self-ruler and not subject to the rule of others. (This is why Americans are referred to as citizens, not as subjects, like so many around the globe.)

Read it all:  Individualism, the Collectivists’ Nemesis

Government, Musings, National, New York State, Rants | No Comments »

Unable to sign their potential unrestricted free agent to a long-term deal, the Buffalo Sabres have traded defenceman Brian Campbell to the San Jose Sharks for forward Steve Bernier and a first-round draft pick.

TSN : NHL - Canada’s Sports Leader

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Government Waste | No Comments »

Buffalo ranks 16th out of the 50 most stressful metro areas in the country.  Luckily, there wasn’t a category for taxes as a percentage of income.  Follow the link for the complete story and rankings.

bizjournals: Stress rankings for 50 metros

Buffalo, Musings | 2 Comments »

Speaking of smear campaigns, these guys were the victims of a terrible injustice.

Feb. 21 (Bloomberg) — Duke University lacrosse players plan to sue the school and the city of Durham, North Carolina, about 10 months after three team members were cleared of sexual- assault charges.

The lawsuit will be filed in federal court in North Carolina, Bob Bork, a spokesman for the players, said today in a telephone interview. He declined to give further details. Thirty-eight players and their parents will join lawyer Charles J. Cooper today at a news conference in Washington, according to a statement distributed yesterday by PR Newswire.

Three Duke lacrosse players have sued former Durham District Attorney Mike Nifong, the city and the laboratory Nifong hired, claiming the rape charges filed against them were knowingly based on false allegations. Duke said in June it reached a settlement with the three players. Details of the accord weren’t released.

Read it all:  Bloomberg.com: North American

Government | 1 Comment »

Much is being made about the alleged affair John McCain allegedly engaged in several years ago.  Some people believe that McCain has some questions to answer. This will haunt him unless he addresses it in a straightforward manner. And even then, this will stick with him until the elections.

McCain has answered the only relevant question, in a straightforward manner, he said he did not have a romantic relationship outside of his marriage.  To speculate otherwise is tantamount to participating in the unfounded smear campaign.

If you’re going to attack McCain, at least base it on substantive issues, not innuendo.

Government, National, Politics & Policy | No Comments »

A common passion or interest will, in almost every case, be felt by a majority of the whole; a communication and concert result from the form of government itself; and there is nothing to check the inducements to sacrifice the weaker party or an obnoxious individual. Hence it is that such democracies have ever been spectacles of turbulence and contention; have ever been found incompatible with personal security or the rights of property; and have in general been as short in their lives as they have been violent in their deaths.

— James Madison, Federalist No. 10 [November 22, 1787]

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Sony apparently has learned its lesson from the betamax battle and put virtually every effort possible in winning the High-Def battle with the HD DVD format.

Wal-Mart is the latest company to exclusively back the Blu-ray technology for high-definition DVDs.

The retail giant said Friday that it would phase out discs and hardware using the competing high-definition technology, known as HD-DVD. HD-DVD products will be off the shelves at Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club stores by June, the company said.

Earlier this week, Netflix announced it would carry Blu-ray discs exclusively and Best Buy will feature Blu-ray prominently over the HD discs.

This is good news for consumers who have been holding back to see which format would win the war before committing to purchasing a High Definition DVD player.  This should lead to an increase in sales and a decrease in equipment prices.

Wal-Mart says it’s going Blu-ray exclusive - Triangle Business Journal:

Musings | 1 Comment »

Apparently there has been a bomb threat at Amherst High School a short while ago. The students have been relocated to Daemen College.

Erie County | 1 Comment »

Here’s a cute joke I found in my email this morning.

Presidential candidates Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards were flying to a convention.  Barack looked at Hillary, chuckled and said, ‘You know, I could throw a $1,000 bill out of the window right now and make somebody very happy.’  Hillary shrugged her shoulders and replied, ‘I could throw ten $100 bills out of the window and make ten people very happy.’  John added, ‘That being the case, I could throw one hundred $10 bills out of the window and make a hundred people very happy.’

Hearing their exchange, the pilot rolled his eyes and said to his co-pilot, ‘Such big-shots back there.  I could throw all of them out of the window and make 156 million people very happy.’

Musings, National | No Comments »

The principal should receive a 5 week suspension, without pay, and be required to provide any private tutoring necessary to help bring Jayvonna up to speed on any schooling she missed.

Jayvonna Kincannon will return to school Monday — after serving five weeks of a seven-week suspension that followed her speaking out on behalf of her volunteer basketball coach.

But first, Jayvonna must write a letter of apology to McKinley High School Principal Crystal Barton.

The Buffalo News: Home: McKinley principal says suspended student can return — after she apologizes

Uncategorized | No Comments »

This is so sad.  People are brainwashed all of their lives and are unable to take a critical look at all candidates.  It is also sad that people are so easily influenced by a self-serving career politician like Ted Kennedy.

“I was brought up pure Democrat — my dad was in politics for many, many years,” said Brian Ahern, 40, who works for the local redevelopment authority and was enjoying an afternoon pint of beer at the Big Apple Sports Palace on Broadway Street, Bayonne’s main drag. “When [Sen. Edward] Kennedy came out and endorsed Obama, that made a big impression on me. . . . I’m leaning towards him only because of that.”

Anyone claiming to be “pure Democrat” demonstrates that they are incapable or unwilling to logically evaluate the positions of all candidates.

It is a violation of our natural rights that the rest of us have our lives affected by the decision making (votes) of people like that.  Years of bending and breaking the Constitution have led to the sorry state of our country.

There is one candidate who values the Constitution, understands what equal opportunity means and respects the natural rights of all people.  That person is Ron Paul.  Tuesday voters across American will have a chance to vote for Ron Paul in the Republican Primary in many states.  If you are one of those people, please take the time to visit Dr. Ron Paul’s website and learn why he is the only candidate for President who is willing to fight for you, not the self-serving interests of the majority of our current politicians.

Working-Class Whites - washingtonpost.com

National, Ron Paul for President | No Comments »

We are in our present position because government has burdened us with taxes, spending, debt, regulations, subsidies, guarantees (to lenders, for example), trade restrictions, fiat money, and other impositions. Between the endless domestic schemes and war, we are being crushed by the weight of the state. We don’t need a stimulus. We need freedom.

— Sheldon Richman, “An Unstimulating Idea” [January 25, 2008]

Government, Quote of the Day | No Comments »

Kudos to Jennifer for revealing a “neat” and “groovy” website, Songza.  You type in the name of a song or group and you can listen to virtually any song imaginable.

I decided to give it a test drive by searching for a song from my youth.  Not only was I able to listen to the song, but a link to a YouTube video of the song was provided as well.

Enjoy!

Music, Raves | No Comments »