Thursday, May 29, 2008

Police Called On Lady Collecting Signatures on Illegal Alien Initiative

Post below was sent out across Arkansas by Arkansas Family Coalition, Bob Hester, Director.

Headline and excerpts from Jonesboro Sun story below were on the on front page, May 28, 08, about a lady who was collecting signatures for illegal alien ballot initiative. The lady is a supporter of our organization, Arkansas Family Coalition, and we know her well.

Isn't it strange that illegal aliens can march in our streets in Arkansas and demand rights and privileges, disrupting the public in various ways, without fear of intervention by the law? Yet, the police are called (and three police cars dispatched to the scene) when one single U.S. Arkansas citizen collects signatures for the people's ballot initiative (even after she obtained permission to be there.) Just what would be the police response if we called and asked them to remove those here unlawfully from our streets when the illegal aliens are marching and protesting. An interesting note: Out of hundreds who have been approached and eligible to sign the petition , the lady in the story below and another lady reported no more than five people refused to sign it.

Woman removed from post office,
Ordered to leave while collecting signatures

Below are excerpts from the story:

"Jonesboro – A Jonesboro woman collecting signatures for a petition said Tuesday she was wrongly ordered off U.S. Postal Services property downtown.

"Cora Jean Liles of Secure Arkansas said she was at the U.S. Post Office, 310 East Street about noon Tuesday when a postal employee [Ron Driskell] ordered her off the grounds. She'd been soliciting signatures for a proposed initiated act on the November ballot to prevent illegal immigrants from getting public benefits.

"The unidentified postal employee called city police who advised Liles the building was private property and that she should leave or face arrest.

A police report read that a female was talking about 'aliens at the post office, refusing to leave."

The article goes on to say that Liles said she received permission last week from a postal employee to collect signatures and had collected signatures at another post office in Jonesboro without incident in recent weeks. Liles said the police officer did not force her but asked her to leave the postal property.

According to the newspaper story, a postal employer refused to answer questions and referred the reporter to a postal service media specialist in Little Rock. The specialist, Lisa Tolliver-Gay said federal regulation prohibits "soliciting signatures on petitions' on postal property. "

In our conversation with Cora Jean Liles she gave us the following information. She had gone in the post office the week before and asked an employee who she needed to talk with to get permission to collect signatures on the sidewalk. The postal employee said she would have to talk to the postmaster. A man (whom she presumed was the postmaster) came out after a few minutes and told her it was okay for her to collect signatures. She did the same thing at another post office in Jonesboro and was told by the postmaster that it was okay to collect signatures there.

When the above incident occurred, Liles said she was standing on the sidewalk collecting signatures for the ballot when a man [she learned later was Ron Driskell] came up and got out of a truck. Liles used her usual approach saying something like, "Would you like to sign this petition? He responded very angrily, "Who has given you permission to be on government property doing this?" Liles, thinking he was just a postal customer said, "I am a citizen of the United States and I love America." Driskell told her that she had no right to be on government property doing this. Liles responded that she had asked the postmaster, and he had given her permission. Driskell said he was the postmaster, but Liles had no way of knowing that since he was a different person from the one who had given her permission to collect signatures, and he was wearing no identifying uniform like postal workers wear. She thought he was just an irritated citizen. He headed for the post office door and said he was going to call the police.

When two other vehicles drove up, Lyles still thinking she had permission to be there, asked the men if they would like to sign the petition. Driskell standing at the post office door, waving his arms, yelled something like this to them: "Don't go over there; I've called the police on her" acting as though she was deranged or something. One of them told Driskell, "Don't tell me what to do and said to Liles, "I will sign the petition," and did so.

Shortly thereafter THREE police cars arrived on the scene according to Liles and also according to the police report. Liles told a bystander to call the Jonesboro Sun that there might be a story here, still believing she had permission to be there. ( Liles said the police were very nice to her, and she told them she thought she was on city property and had gotten permission. Liles also said to one of the policemen, "Why are there three police cars here? What have I done to deserve this?" When they asked her to leave, she did.

Of course, this is embarrassing for Liles, but she is committed to her country and to the right of the people to have the right to vote on this initiative this fall and is willing to take the heat. She followed all the rules and asked permission before she collected signatures. Liles said she did not know why Driskell told police she was talking about 'aliens at the post office, because she never refers to them as aliens (she said her tongue gets twisted on that word) but rather refers to them as people who are here unlawfully. Liles said Driskell was acting as though she was deranged or something by warning the people to stay away from her. Evidently Driskell made the policemen believe that as well since they dispatched three police cars to the scene.

Liles is in the process of seeking legal counsel on this matter. There are several questions that need t be answered. Several other canvassers have been observed collecting petitions, even up under the awning, at this same post office in the past. We have also discovered that Driskell is only one of the postal employees serving as temporary postmaster while the official postmaster is out of pocket. The person who earlier gave Liles permission to collect signatures may have been the official postmaster.

We would call Liles "One courageous, committed, patriotic lady." We need a lot more like her to get over 60,000 signatures by July lst. We probably have the shortest time span to get that many signatures of any initiative ever passed in Arkansas.

This article can be read on line at this link: http://www.wpaag.org/illegals%20-%20Police%20called%20on%20lady%20collecting%20signatures%20on%20initiative.htm

Monday, May 26, 2008

Governor Beebe Fooling the People on Aliens Ballot Initiative

Beebe says he opposes the initiative; saying it would only duplicate state and federal laws; he doesn’t tell the people that almost any benefit (welfare, health unemployment benefits, food and housing assistance, loans, licenses etc.) forbidden to aliens by the federal government can be given to them by the state - if the state just passes a law to do so. And there are many so called "compassionate" liberals in Arkansas just waiting to do that.

Governor Mike Beebe announced that he will oppose the initiated act by the people that would allow citizens in Arkansas to vote in November to bar illegal aliens from receiving certain state services. http://www.nwanews.com/adg/News/226288 May 20, 08 “Illegal-alien act faulty” by Michael Wickline

Governor Beebe said that the initiative “would duplicate state and federal laws” and that “All of the proposal’s major provisions already are covered by federal or state laws.” Governor Beebe is playing the usual deceptive political tricks. Beebe knows quite well that legislators tried to pass, and will most likely try to pass more laws in the future, that actually contradict those federal laws of which he speaks – laws that would GIVE illegal aliens more benefits rather than DENY them benefits. Even if the laws are challenged, Beebe knows they can be upheld by a liberal judge.

Beebe was the one who issued the Attorney General opinion in 2005 on HB1525 by Joyce Elliott that would have given college scholarships and in-state tuition to illegal aliens. Beebe’s opinion indicated the law could very well violate federal statutes. The law still passed the Arkansas House and barely failed in the Senate after a royal battle.

Beebe knows that Senator Wilkins also tried to get the basic tenants of HB1525 passed again this last session. If this Secure Arkansas initiative does not pass, we can look for a battle in this area, as well as other similar areas, every session. In fact, Joyce Elliott stated last week that she may bring the measure back before the Legislature next year. The ballot initiative that Beebe opposes would settle the matter because it specifically denies these postsecondary benefits to illegal aliens. That is just one example that contradicts Beebe’s assertions that Arkansas is protected by federal law.

And is Beebe just being deceitful or has he forgotten about federal law, 8-USC-Section 1621 (d) which actually says the states can pass laws to give illegal aliens state & local public benefits? The immigration lawyer by the name of Yates tried to use that law in 2005 to prove that Joyce Elliott’s HB1525 for instate tuition and scholarships for illegal aliens did not violate federal law. There was one little or big problem with Yates’ opinion: another federal law 8 USC Section 1623 (a) added restrictions that made HB1525 violate federal law. http://law.onecle.com/uscode/8/1623.html

State laws can be passed that would extend a number of benefits to illegal aliens. That law, 8-USC-Section 1621 (d), reads: "A State may provide that an alien who is not lawfully present in the United States is eligible for any State or local public benefit for which such alien would otherwise be ineligible under subsection (a) of this section only through the enactment of a State law after August 22, 1996, which affirmatively provides for such eligibility.”

So why is Beebe trying to fool the people of Arkansas into thinking they are safe under federal laws when all he and the legislature have to do is pass a law in Arkansas to allow benefits for illegal aliens?

For rest of article see this link or click Monday below: http://www.wpaag.org/Illegals%20-%20Beebe%20fooling%20people%20on%20ballot%20initiative.htm

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Some Gave All


A friend of mine at work made a show of elaborate indifference when I attempted to broach the subject of the run-off elections coming up June 10th. I realize that I can be a bore on the subject, but it is still something responsible people should be willing to talk about. "I am sorry that the burden of self-government is so troublesome to you" I said, "Perhaps soon we will live under a dictator and you will not have to be bothered with it."

We live in a time where it is easy to lose faith, and interest in the process and the leaders that process puts forth. We may need to alter the process. But we should never ignore our duty as a free people to wisely govern ourselves. In America, good government is not someone else's responsibility. It is not something that will just "take care of itself" while we are pursing other things. Campaigning with ballots may be tiresome, but not so bad as campaigning with bullets.

On this Memorial Day, we remember our fallen heroes. Some gave all that we might live free. I ask all my countrymen to give some that we might remain that way.

ANB: No Bailout for Shareholders?


Arkansas National Bank: Shareholders out of luck?
******************************
When Bear Sterns investment house failed not two months ago, the Federal government came rushing in with taxpayer money to entice a buyer to rescue them. The Feds took over, even telling Bear Sterns shareholders what stock price they were going to be paid by the entity to take over (J.P. Morgan). The stockholders, some of whom were doubtless well-connected folks, bucked it. J.P. Morgan quadrupled its buyout price. The takeover was still a bargain for Morgan because the Feds threw tens of billions of our dollars in to sweeten the deal.

Everybody involved got well, except two groups: 1) former Bear Sterns employees who got turned out of jobs and 2) us little guys in the heartland who paid for it all.

I talked to a beautiful young lady who works for a hedge fund in NY. "The government had to do this rescue, or it would have been a financial disaster" she said. I was not going for it. "The disaster for them is that they would have had to live with the kind of budget we in the heartland make do with every day. It is morally inexcusable to tax families in Arkansas making $35,000 a year so that people near the power-centers making many times that amount can continue their high-rolling".

At any rate, it appears the stockholders of ANB are not going to get the same benefit as those of Bear Sterns. They are losing their money, if my source is correct. This is yet another example of the double standards of our federal government. Once you give in to the principle that government should prevent the failure of some enterprises, or rescue their investors from the consequences, favoritism is unavoidable. Some favored folks benefit from government rescues. For those of us in the heartland, the ANB effort looks more like the hurricane Katrina "effort".

Saturday, May 24, 2008

Bisbee Hurls Accusations at Veteran's Group

Ugly accusations and an unflattering photograph. Morning News photographer William Moore (as far as I know, no relation) captures the spirit of the press conference. From left, Harrison, Hines, Bisbee.
***************************************
State Senator Dave Bisbee is in a June 10th run-off against former JP Bill Adams in the race for Benton County Judge. Bisbee sent the mud flying yesterday by claiming in a press conference that the sole purpose of the Northwest Arkansas Veterans Association was to support a particular candidate, Adams, and then sell endorsements to support itself. This is according to a well-worth reading article by Morning News reporter Scarlet Sims.

I have asked around about the group and there is simply no way Bisbee's accusation could be true. Those guys have been around awhile, marching in Memorial Day events, showing elementary school children the proper way to fold flags, and even raising money to help veterans in need. Their forays into political endorsements seem to be recent and very "unslick". They sent the Moore household a very simple black and white card with their endorsements on it. Bill Adams for County Judge was one of them.

When Adams got the endorsement, he was delighted, but an endorsement is no good if people don't know about it. He offered to partially finance mailing cards to people. The money Adams raised went to mail the cards, not line the pockets of Veteran's group members. There is nothing against the law or the ethics commission rules in doing that.

Further, reporter Sims actually went to the trouble of calling several other candidates that were endorsed by the group to see if the group's endorsement was "bought". Two endorsed candidates said that neither Adams nor the group asked them for money in exchange for an endorsement. A third said that Adams asked him to chip in to help mail the endorsements to voters, but he declined. The group endorsed him anyway.

Dave Bisbee has a reputation as a slick operator. This has to be the most ham-fisted political move he has ever made. The other defeated candidates, Kevin Harrison, David Glass, and Greg Hines, stood with Bisbee yesterday. Why would the other three defeated candidates risk their reputations to stand by Bisbee and with him make such wild accusations at a veteran's group? Well, I have heard some rumors as to why they would, and those answers are not pretty. Developing......

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Several Hundred Illegal Aliens Arrested in Iowa/Identity Theft

Following is a summary of information on this arrest in Iowa taken from several articles (links given at end of this article) Details vary greatly in these reports.

All articles report that at least 300 people (some articles say 390) were arrested on Monday, May 12, by U.S. immigration agents as a result of an ongoing investigation into identity theft, fraudulent use of Socical Security numbers, and for illegal immigrants. Reports agree that it is the largest operation of this type ever in Iowa and that agents from federal, state, and local agencies are involved and that the investigation was led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) unit.

[This first paragraph includes all we need to know – that the increased incidence of identity theft, the fasting growing crime in US for the last seven years, is definitely related to the illegal alien problem. I myself was notified recently by the blood bank that my information was on one of three computers that were stolen from them and that I should take proper steps to protect myself from identity theft. It doesn't seem quite fair to have good deeds (giving blood) rewarded with evil. It should encourage all of us to do everything we can to get the illegal alien initiative on the ballot]

One article reports: "According to an affidavit, based on information thus far developed in the investigation, it appears, based on 2007 fourth quarter payroll reports, that approximately 76 percent of the 968 employees of Agriprocessors (the meat packing company in Northeast Iowa where the arrests took place)were using false or fraudulent social security numbers in connection with their employment.”

Another account reports: "All 833 employees were found to have either used invalid Social Security numbers or numbers not their own, said an application ICE agents submitted to secure a search warrant of the facility."

The Chicago Tribune reported: "According to an affidavit dated May 9, federal officials relied on several sources, including former employees and at least one undercover plant employee who wore a wire monitored by investigators."

Following are several links to stories on this issue: Some of them give very detailed reports.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24581368/
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-ia-immigrationraid,0,4871703.story
http://www.capoliticalnews.com/s/spip.php?article676
http://www.manufacturing.net/article.aspx?id=159210
http://www.alipac.us/article-topic-34.html

Several Hundred Illegal Aliens Arrested in Iowas/Identify Theft....

Following is a summary of information on this arrest in Iowa take from several articles (links given at end of this article) Details vary greatly in these reports.

All articles report that at least 300 people (some articles say 390) were arrested on Monday, May 12, by U.S. immigration agents as a result of an ongoing investigation into identity theft, fraudulent use of Socical Security numbers, and for illegal immigrants. Reports agree that it is the largest operation of this type ever in Iowa and that agents from federal, state, and local agencies were involved and that the investigation was led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) unit.

[This first paragraph includes all we need to know – that the increased incidence of identity theft ,the fasting growing crime in US for the last seven years, is definitely related to the illegal alien problem. I myself was notified recently by the blood bank that my information was on one of three computers that were stolen from them and that I should take proper steps to protect myself from identity theft. It doesn't seem quite fair to have good deeds (giving blood) rewarded with evil. It should encourage all of us to do everything we can to get the illegal alien initiative petitions signed and on the ballot]

One article reports, " According to an affidavit, based on information thus far developed in the investigation, it appears, based on 2007 fourth quarter payroll reports, that approximately 76 percent of the 968 employees of Agriprocessors (the meat packing company in Northeast Iowa where the arrests took place)were using false or fraudulent social security numbers in connection with their employment.”

Another account reports that. "All 833 employees were found to have either used invalid Social Security numbers or numbers not their own, said an application ICE agents submitted to secure a search warrant of the facility."

The Chicago Tribune reported: "According to an affidavit dated May 9, federal officials relied on several sources, including former employees and at least one undercover plant employee who wore a wire monitored by investigators."

Following are several links to stories on this issue: Some of them give very detailed reports.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24581368/
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-ia-immigrationraid,0,4871703.story
http://www.capoliticalnews.com/s/spip.php?article676
http://www.manufacturing.net/article.aspx?id=159210
http://www.cnbc.com/id/24583081/for/cnbc
http://www.alipac.us/article-topic-34.html

Monday, May 12, 2008

Ballot Initiative Curbing Benefits for Illegal Aliens Approved by AG

Reasons to Work To Get Initiative Passed
(Article sent out by Arkansas Family Coalition - Posted with permssion)

The ballot initiative denying illegal aliens certain benefits has been approved on its third try by Attorney General which clears the way for Secure Arkansas (the group sponsoring the initiative) to circulate its petition. Secure Arkansas has until July 7 to get at least 61974 Arkansas registered voters' signatures in order to qualify the proposed initiative for the ballot in November.

As you can see, proponents of the initiative have a tough hill to climb in a short time. We are so grateful that it was finally approved; we weren't sure it would ever be approved. Everyone's help and money (just for necessities) will be needed to get this done in such a short time. No one with Secure Arkansas, the sponsor of the initiative, is receiving pay. It is all volunteer work. Arkansas Family Coalition will do all they can to help with this initiative. The title of the initiative petition is An Act To Prevent Persons Unlawfully Present in the United States From Receiving Certain Public Benefits

Following are some reasons we should fight hard to get this initiative passed. It doesn't give us everything we want, but is a good beginning.

1. It will prevent illegal aliens from receiving certain public benefits. Some benefits like emergency treatment are required by federal law so the initiative can't prevent those.

2. Passing this initiative will help alleviate the problem with Arkansas being a magnet for illegal aliens.

In Arkansas, there was a 437 percent increase of Hispanics from 1990 to 2003, the first or second in the nation. Some surrounding states (Oklahoma, Tennessee, Missouri, and Arizona) have passed tough immigration bills that are causing many aliens to leave their state and head for Arkansas. Tens of thousands of Hispanics have left the Tulsa area because of a tough law passed there. It is reported that "Most illegal immigrants are ending up in either Kansas or Arkansas." See this link for article detailing what the above four states have done. http://www.wpaag.org/Immigration%20-%20Illegals%20fleeing%20states%20enacting%20laws-Beebe%20should%20act.htm

It is interesting how often we have heard the statement that there is no way to deport all these illegal immigrants. It is obvious now, as many have maintained - they won't have to be deported if our officials will just make and enforce the right laws. They will leave on their own accord!

3. Legislators will be far more apt to pass other laws as other states have if this initiative passes with good support. Many legislators want to pass tough immigration laws and tried to do so in the last legislative session; but their efforts have been resisted by the same groups that are fighting this initiative, including the ACLU. Many other legislators will come on board if they see this initiative passed.

4. This initiative will require agencies to keep records on costs of benefits to illegal aliens. Legislators held committee meetings a few months to determine these costs and found that most agencies have not even tried to determine if benefits are going to illegal aliens or not.

5. This initiative requires state and local governments in Arkansas to verify citizenship or legal residency of most people applying for public benefits. "One state agency that would have to change its procedures if the proposal passes is the Arkansas Department of Health. The department doesn’t require any identification or proof of legal residency for receipt of services." Taken from Arkansas Democrat Gazette article http://www.nwanews.com/adg/News/225065

6. A business license will be denied to anyone who is not a lawful citizen of the United States.

7. The initiative requires a person registering a vehicle to present a valid Arkansas driver’s license or state identification card.

8. An individual who is not lawfully present in the US shall not be eligible on the basis of residence within the state for any postsecondary education benefit, including without limitation scholarships or financial aid; and resident tuition.

In 2005 Representative Joyce Elliott fought hard for a bill to provide instate tuition and scholarships for illegal aliens, which would have given illegal aliens advantages over our own citizens. Her bill (which the AG ruled could be illegal) was barely defeated by those who fought back just as hard. The bill was introduced again in the 2007 legislative session and failed again. This initiative would keep that bill from coming up again.

You can pull the petition off at this link: http://debbie-pelley.c.topica.com/maalqSYabG7unaBV5JKcaeQCRr/ You must read the rules before getting petitions signed at this link: http://debbie-pelley.c.topica.com/maalqSYabG7uoaBV5JKcaeQCRr/This last link also gives the address for where to send the signed and notarized petitions. Most banks will have notary publics to notarize your signatures free of charge.

Send contributions to Secure Arkansas, P.O. Box 21096, Little Rock, AR 72221 Your help is greatly needed! Volunteers to work as precinct captains and county directors are also needed; and people are needed to work the day of the primary, May 20 to gather signatures. If you can help, please call us at 870-932-5065 or email us at blhester@m34u.net or call Secure Arkansas 501 - 765-3325.

Chilling Speech from a Mexican Revolutionist

40 Million Potential Revolutionaries North of the Border

Below is a transcription of the speech, but you need to watch it for the full effect. See link to video at end of article.

Reconquista Aztlan Separatist Speech
Ron Gochez rallies a group of student protesters advocating illegal immigration into America as forming a "Northern Front" of revolution against 'racist' whites and capitalism.

"I want to start off by saying that the young man who spoke a little while ago was one of my students. That made me so proud because I know that our people are strong leaders for years and years to come. (Loud applause)

"We have a revolutionary Mexican organization here. You are right: this is not just about Mexico; this is about a global struggle against imperialism and capitalism. We know that all of that is happening in the context of where we now stand is stolen occupied Mexico. (Loud applause)

"And the message that we bring, if you want to bring a little bit more of a revolutionary context to this, why is it that these people, these frail, racist white people want to keep us out of this country. It is not simply because the color of our skin; it is not simply because they just want to exploit us. Let me tell you why. Because on this planet right now are six billion people at the forefront of a revolutionary movement, the LaRaza.
(Loud Applause)

"We have a long history of examples of (names several leaders and countries in South American, including Chavez and Brazil, names that I could not understand for sure). You name it; we have nine; nine at the center, governments in Latin America right now. They know something that one young Argentine said. It is called the domino theory. He knew that every single country would go revolutionary, one after the other, after the other, after the other.

"So what do they fear? They know that every single country; they know that we no longer will fall to these lies called borders. We know that (names countries in Latin America including Guatemala) there is no damm difference! we are all one people so with that in mind we see ourselves, all of us here, as the Northern Front of a Latin American Revolutionary movement. (Loud applause)

" There are more than 40 million of our people north of the Rio Grande - that means to them that's 40 million potential revolutionaries north of the border inside the belly of the beast.

"So when you think about why they want to kick us, our people out. That's why. Because they know that we now know the truth; they know that now we are La Raza; we are professionals; we are educators; we are revolutionary students. What does that mean? We are not just a regular culture any more; we are a culture of revolutionary spirit, and that's the fear. (Thunderous applause)

"So with that being said, I want to leave you with this. As a revolutionary and with revolutionary context, let's be clear about one thing. Our enemy is not the minutemen. Quote me, " our enemy is not the minutemen because the minutemen are not the ones who have killed over 4,600 people at those borders." Our enemy is the same enemy as the one Chavez has. Our enemy is the same enemy that (names other countries in Latin America that I could not understand) . Our enemy is capitalism and imperialism. (Loud applause)

"I will finish with this. If you are serious about making change; if you are serious about making change, let me tell you: the struggle will go on for many more years after we leave (couple words I could not understand but I this he said L.A.) Reading a book, writing a book or teaching a class, that is not, that is not part of the movement. What you do 24 hours a day as a professional revolutionary. that is what will lead our people, and all people to liberation. " (Loud Applause)

Link to the video http://www.youtube.com:80/watch?v=iybaDyMr1rs
Link to another article about this group and shows all of California as part of Mexico
http://www.boycottabsolut.com
http://www.boycottabsolut.com/separatist_movement_evidence/index.shtml
Separatist Movement Evidence.

This article sent out by Arkansas Family Coalition, Bob Hester, Director

Thursday, May 08, 2008

Intelligent Design/Evolution Movie (Expelled) in top 10

Full title of movie is Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed.

I saw this movie and think everyone would benefit from seeing it. The movie is not so much about evolution or intelligent design as it is about the proof that political correctness has taken science captive and the frightening consequences to which that is leading. Debbie

'Expelled' propelled to box office top 10

Documentary scores estimated $3.2 million in opening weekendPosted: April 20, 2008© 2008 WorldNetDaily

Opening on about half the screens of other top 10 movies, "Expelled," Ben Stein's documentary on academia's censorship of any ideas hinting of intelligent design, scored an impressive $3.2 million in its opening weekend – more than all but eight other movies.

"Expelled" rolled out in 1,052 theaters, compared with 3,151 for the top grosser, "The Forbidden Kingdom."The movie, promoted heavily in conservative and Christian circles throughout the U.S., performed much better than the weekend's other new current-affairs documentary, "Where in the World Is Osama bin Laden?" That movie, the second feature from "Super Size Me" filmmaker Morgan Spurlock, banked a mere $143,299 in 102 locations, for a terrible $1,405 average. "Expelled" brought in nearly $3,000 per screen.

Here are some quotes from another article by Ed Watch, a conservative educational organization.

If you like the world of ideas, you will love this movie. It sheds light on one of the great debates of our time-that is, if the Darwinian side will stop the paranoia, name-calling and persecution long enough to allow the debate to take place.

The full title of the movie is Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed. It focuses on the issues of academic freedom, freedom of speech, Darwinism and intelligent design (ID).

Two of my 8:00 class students saw the movie over the weekend. They both rated it a "10" on a scale of 1 to 10. (I agree with that rating.) The Star Tribune described the movie as, "A hard-core, fundamentalist bit of right-wing propaganda," thereby illustrating one of Stein's observations-that the Darwinians deal with intelligent design by means of name-calling, not informed discussion and debate.

Ben Stein graduated from Yale Law School in the same class as Hillary Clinton. Stein, however, was valedictorian of the class. He has talent that just doesn't quit.
http://www.edwatch.org/index.html

Monday, May 05, 2008

SHa-zam!



Some of you may be wondering where I have been this past week. My monitor was a victim of the wild weather we have had in the Natural State. Lighting during a ferocious wind storm blew my monitor out. The same storm knocked power out to most of my small town, tore up a number of large trees by the roots, snapped a telephone poll, and knocked over twenty yards of brick wall at the entrance of an upscale subdivision.

I am writing this report on a loaner from a friend. At 17" it is bigger than my first three monitors were, but my how we can get spoiled in a hurry. It is almost painful to use compared to the one I lost. I plan to get a new monitor in the next three days. After that I plan to be back, and hopefully better than ever.