The Rant

Bob: Check out the future. If giant databases get to be public. http://www.aclu.org/pizza/images/screen.swf This is worth the look.

from a blog ( http://www.tcsdaily.com/article.aspx?id=051206A ) Ten Points of Difference Between America and Radical Islam to consider when we are not embroiled in partisan politics. 1. Many people have fled radical Muslim regimes to live in the U.S. Hardly anyone has fled the U.S. to live under radical Muslim regimes. 2. In the United States, women are allowed to choose whether or not to where modest clothing. Radical Muslims deny them that right, as well as others. 3. Americans who abuse enemy prisoners cower in shame and are prosecuted. Radical Muslims celebrate war crimes, proudly display photos and videos of war crimes, and honor the criminals. 4. More Iraqis would like to see the terrorists give up tomorrow than see the Americans leave tomorrow. (If there is any doubt about that, we can put the issue up for a vote in Iraq.) 5. Americans see negotiations as a way to resolve differences. Radical Muslims see negotiations as a sign of weakness. 6. When Muslims come to live in Americ

By Leslie Cauley, USA TODAY Thu May 11, 7:21 AM ET The National Security Agency has been secretly collecting the phone call records of tens of millions of Americans, using data provided by AT&T, Verizon and BellSouth, people with direct knowledge of the arrangement told USA TODAY. The NSA program reaches into homes and businesses across the nation by amassing information about the calls of ordinary Americans - most of whom aren't suspected of any crime. This program does not involve the NSA listening to or recording conversations. But the spy agency is using the data to analyze calling patterns in an effort to detect terrorist activity, sources said in separate interviews. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS: The NSA record collection program "It's the largest database ever assembled in the world," said one person, who, like the others who agreed to talk about the NSA's activities, declined to be identified by name or affiliation. The agency's goal is "to create a

Bob Clasen writing: So-called compassionate conservatives have supported thousands of dubious new programs including corporate welfare, national education programs, and tons of "earmarked" pork barrel progams such as Trent Lott's railroad to nowhere, the biggest increase in entitlement spending since 1965 (Prescription Drugs) driving the national debt to new heights. In other words, Republicans have done just what Democrats would have done in office. Furthermore, the Republicans have continued a policy of essentially open borders. This has resulted in allowing Mexico to export its poverty to the United States, with resulting huge increases in costs to taxpayers for education and medical care, especially in California and Texas. So what is a libertarian minded Republican to do, if he wants to support a program of controlling the ballooning size of government? I tell you one thing. He is not sending money to the current national party. This is why Bush's poll numbers ar